University Hospitals Leicester becomes the first trust outside London to achieve the Anti-Racism Framework Bronze award
| Outcomes at a glance |
|---|
| • University Hospitals Leicester is the first NHS trust outside London to adopt and achieve the CapitalMidwife Anti-Racism Framework Bronze award |
| • The Trust established a dedicated Anti-Racism Implementation Advisory (ARIA) group, creating a visible platform for staff leadership on race equity |
| • Evaluation evidence points to improvements in speaking up, inclusion, fairness of career progression, and a reduction in harassment and discrimination indicators |
| • UHL is now working with TPHC toward the Silver award, deepening implementation across the organisation |
The challenge
University Hospitals Leicester (UHL) wanted to address systemic racism and improve equity, inclusion, and staff experience within its perinatal services. The CapitalMidwife Anti-Racism Framework (ARF), developed by TPHC and NHS England in 2021 in response to Dr Gloria Rowland’s 2020 ‘Turning the Tide’ report, provided a structured roadmap of nine initiatives to empower staff to discuss race, call out racist practices, and embed anti-racist principles into organisational processes.
The ARF was originally designed for London trusts. Co-created with NHS England and senior global majority maternity leaders, and requiring independent rather than self-assessment, it carries a level of rigour that made external specialist support essential for any trust attempting implementation for the first time. Adapting it for a non-London setting added a further layer of complexity that UHL could not navigate from within.
Our approach
Working with the UHL project team, TPHC established project governance and a delivery structure aligned to the nine ARF initiatives. This formed the foundation for the ARIA group, which then oversaw implementation locally.
Sustained subject matter expertise underpinned the whole partnership. TPHC provided practical guidance on ARF requirements, real-time advice on emerging challenges, and support to interpret and apply the framework’s nine initiatives. Alongside this, TPHC revised the framework itself to make it applicable beyond its original London context, extending its relevance and transferability across the wider NHS.
Building UHL’s confidence required more than guidance. TPHC worked closely with the project team and ARIA group to develop a robust, evidence-based action plan aligned to the Bronze award criteria and brokered relationships with peer trusts in London at similar stages of implementation. The resulting buddy network gave UHL direct access to real-world experience from organisations navigating the same journey.
Because the ARF does not permit self-assessment, TPHC designed and delivered an independent assessment process, drawing together a panel of senior global majority midwives and experienced project managers. This included a mock assessment to identify evidence gaps, detailed recommendations to strengthen UHL’s submission, and a full panel assessment for the Bronze award.
The impact
Through its partnership with TPHC, UHL established the governance structures, leadership engagement, and action planning needed to begin embedding anti-racist practice. The ARIA group has created a visible platform for staff leadership around race equity, and the trust is now on a clear pathway toward sustained cultural change.
Because other anti-racism and anti-discrimination schemes were running concurrently at UHL, it is not possible to attribute specific outcomes to the ARF alone. However, evaluation evidence and emerging trends point to improvements in speaking up, inclusion, and team culture; positive movement in fairness of career progression and people management metrics; a reduction in harassment and discrimination indicators; and early signs of improved staff morale and retention.
UHL is now working with TPHC to progress toward the Silver award, which focuses on demonstrable implementation of multiple ARF initiatives across the organisation. The partnership also leaves a broader legacy: TPHC’s revision of the framework during this work means it is now applicable to trusts outside London for the first time, opening the pathway for NHS organisations across England to adopt it.
What our clients say
‘We are extremely proud to have achieved this milestone. Of particular importance to us was that the process was externally moderated, ensuring a level of rigour and objectivity that strengthens the credibility of the assessment. This has provided us with a robust foundation and clear direction for the work ahead and we look forward to progressing towards the Silver award with the continued support of TPHC.’ Dalvir Kandola, Consultant Midwife Lead for Inclusivity, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
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