NHS Borders Anti‑Racism Plan 2025–2027
Introduction
NHS Borders is committed to fairness, equity and inclusion for everyone who works in, uses or interacts with our services. Our Anti‑Racism Plan 2025-2027 sets out how we will take meaningful, sustained action to identify, challenge and eliminate racism across our organisation.
Racism can exist at an individual level, but it can also be embedded within systems, policies and everyday practices. We recognise that tackling institutional and structural racism requires more than statements of intent. It requires clear leadership, accountability, listening to lived experience, and taking action.
This plan represents the first phase of a longer‑term journey. It provides a clear framework and roadmap for embedding anti‑racist practice across NHS Borders, aligned with our wider organisational strategies, governance arrangements and national expectations.
Our Vision
Our vision is:
To be recognised as Scotland’s leading healthcare organisation for fairness, equity and inclusion - where every person feels respected, valued and safe.
We want NHS Borders to be a place where everyone, including staff, students, volunteers, patients, families and carers, and particularly children and people from racialised minority communities, experiences kindness, dignity, respect and equitable outcomes.
Our Guiding Principles
The delivery of our Anti‑Racism Plan is shaped by a set of guiding principles that influence how we design, implement and assure our actions. These principles help ensure our commitment to anti‑racism is consistent, measurable and embedded across NHS Borders.
Accountable leadership and governance
We will ensure clear leadership, ownership and reporting at all levels so that anti‑racism commitments are actively monitored, challenged and delivered, not left as aspirations. Progress will be overseen through formal governance and Board reporting arrangements.
Empowered staff and communities
We will create safe, meaningful opportunities for staff, service users and communities from racialised minorities to influence decisions, co‑design services and shape improvement. This includes listening to lived experience and acting on what we hear.
Evidence‑based approach
We will use robust data, insight and measurable outcomes to understand inequalities, monitor progress and drive continuous improvement in anti‑racism activity across workforce and service delivery.
Inclusive culture
We will embed cultural awareness, fairness and equity into our organisational culture, leadership and services. Everyone should feel respected, represented and able to participate fully, with particular attention to children, young people and those experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage.
Across all of this, we explicitly recognise the impact of institutional and structural racism and commit to mainstreaming anti‑racism across organisational strategies, policies and systems.
National Guidance and Policy Context
Our Anti‑Racism Plan has been developed in line with Scottish Government and NHS Scotland guidance and reflects national expectations for NHS Boards. It supports our legal duties and wider commitments to equality and human rights.
Key national frameworks and guidance include:
- Scottish Government - Anti‑Racist Framework for Scotland
Sets out a whole‑system approach to tackling racism and advancing race equality across Scotland.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/anti-racist-framework-scotland/ - Scottish Government - Race Equality Action Plan
Provides national actions to address racial inequality and discrimination.
https://www.gov.scot/policies/equality/race-equality/ - NHS Scotland Anti‑Racism Plan Guidance
Defines expectations for NHS Boards in developing, delivering and assuring anti‑racism activity. - Equality Act 2010
Provides legal protection from discrimination and underpins our duty to advance equality. - Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)
Requires NHS Borders to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations.
Our progress may be subject to national review, assurance or sharing of learning, and we will use established governance arrangements to provide transparency locally and nationally.
Our Anti‑Racism Plan
Our Anti‑Racism Plan 2025-2027 sets out:
- clear delivery objectives across governance, workforce, service delivery, communication and partnership working
- measurable commitments supported by key performance indicators
- arrangements for leadership, accountability and Board oversight
- a focus on continuous learning, listening and improvement
The plan is a working document. It will evolve as we listen, learn and respond to emerging evidence, feedback and lived experience.