As we mark the one-year anniversary of the Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI), its relevance to the future of the NHS could not be clearer. Developed by the Race Equality Foundation in collaboration with partners across health, care, and community sectors, REMI is a pioneering, evidence-based tool designed to tackle systemic racial inequalities and embed anti-racist practice at every level of health and care organisations.
Why REMI Matters in NHS Reform
The NHS is undergoing significant transformation to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Yet, persistent racial health inequalities and workforce disparities remain. London’s health and care system, for example, reflects the UK’s diversity–over one-third of NHS staff come from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic communities–but these groups continue to face barriers in career progression and experience poorer health outcomes. Structural racism exacerbates these challenges, undermining trust and widening health gaps.
REMI provides a structured, practical pathway for organisations to move from awareness to championing race equity, through six progressive stages:
- Awareness – Recognising racism as a systemic issue.
- Commitment – Developing a clear race equity strategy.
- Implementation – Turning strategy into measurable action.
- Embedding – Aligning policies and decision-making with anti-racist principles.
- Creating – Innovating to address racial disparities.
- Championing – Organisations leading the way for others.
This staged approach ensures race equity is not treated as an optional add-on but becomes integral to organisational culture and governance.
The Impact and Benefits
REMI is more than a moral imperative–it’s a strategic investment. Research shows that organisations prioritising race equity achieve:
- Better health outcomes for patients.
- Higher staff engagement and retention, particularly among diverse teams.
- Greater innovation and productivity, driven by inclusive practices.
- Improved public trust, essential for sustainable health reform.
By complementing existing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) frameworks, REMI avoids duplication and offers a streamlined, embedded approach that supports sustainable change.
Why It’s More Important Than Ever
The NHS faces unprecedented challenges: workforce shortages, rising demand, and the need to rebuild trust post-pandemic. At the same time, public scrutiny of EDI initiatives is intensifying, with critics questioning their effectiveness. REMI responds to this by providing clear evidence, measurable progress indicators, and accountability, ensuring that race equity work delivers tangible results.
As the NHS reforms to become more integrated and community-focused, tools like REMI are essential to ensure that equity is at the heart of transformation—not an afterthought.
Join the Movement On this anniversary, we invite health and care organisations to commit to race equity. Explore the REMI framework and take the next step toward creating a truly inclusive NHS.
👉 Learn more and access the REMI framework: Race Equity Maturity Index
