NMC launches anti-racism principles to address bias and health inequalities

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has unveiled a new set of anti-racism principles aimed at tackling racial bias and reducing health inequalities across nursing and midwifery education, practice and regulation.

The principles were developed in response to concerns about persistent racial disparities in healthcare, including the disproportionate risks faced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic women during pregnancy and childbirth. The NMC said the framework is intended to help address both inequities in patient care and the discrimination experienced by nursing and midwifery professionals from racially minoritised backgrounds.

According to the regulator, racism can be embedded within organisational structures, policies and cultures, making anti-racist practice a critical component of patient safety and public protection. The NMC’s latest workforce insights have also highlighted the prevalence of discrimination within the professions, with ethnicity cited as one of the most common reasons for reported discriminatory experiences.

The new framework is organised around four key areas: culture, equity and inclusion; learning, education and workforce development; community and person-centred practice; and assurance, accountability and sector improvement. Together, these pillars seek to promote cultural safety, challenge bias and strengthen accountability across healthcare settings.

Under the principles, education providers and employers are encouraged to embed anti-racist approaches into training, assessment and professional development. The framework also calls for greater awareness of intersectional factors that can contribute to unequal health outcomes and urges organisations to monitor and report progress on anti-racism initiatives.

The launch follows a series of commitments made by the NMC to address racial disparities in healthcare. The regulator has previously announced plans to incorporate stronger anti-racism and equality standards into its revised professional Code, which is expected to come into force in 2027.

NMC Chief Executive and Registrar Paul Rees said the principles represent an important step towards addressing health inequalities and ensuring future nursing and midwifery professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to recognise and challenge racism in practice.

The principles have been welcomed by organisations including the NHS Race and Health Observatory and the Council of Deans of Health, which described them as a positive step towards improving equity, inclusion and outcomes for patients, students and healthcare staff.

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