Hello everyone, I’m Uma Krishnamurthy, a gynaecology consultant and associate medical director at ELHT. I’m also the co-chair of the BAME Staff Network and chair of the Women’s Network.
At ELHT, we are on a mission to create a truly inclusive, anti-racist environment, where everyone feels valued and respected. This is not just about policy changes or one-time initiatives—it’s about a fundamental shift in how we approach racism and discrimination within our Trust and beyond.
In this blog, I’ll share the steps we’re taking as an organisation, the importance of becoming actively anti-racist, and the role each of us plays in driving this change. From our Aarushi Project to the upcoming ELHT Get Together and the Going for Gold: Anti-Racism and Allyship Summit, we are committed to making anti-racism a core part of who we are.
We’re taking a stand.
We’re saying no to racism in all its forms.
As a Trust, we are embracing anti-racism and making it a core part of our culture because that’s who we are. Our chief executive, Martin Hodgson, and chair, Shazad Sarwar, have boldly and compassionately set anti-racism as a key priority. This kind of leadership is vital—it sets the tone for the entire organisation and provides a clear direction of where we need to go.
Being anti-racist isn’t just about saying “I’m not racist.” It’s about actively dismantling racism wherever it exists. That’s why we published our anti-racism statement and charter, and launched the Aarushi Project, a quality improvement initiative that uses data and evidence to tackle racism head-on and drive meaningful change. This project is part of our long-term journey towards becoming an anti-racist organisation, which started back in 1998.
Why is this important? Racism harms people—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It can lead to increased health issues, higher mortality rates, and has a devastating impact on our communities. The evidence is clear, and as a healthcare provider, we have a responsibility to fight against these injustices.
So, what does it mean to be anti-racist? It’s about taking action—challenging racism wherever it appears, including within ourselves. We need to reflect on our behaviour and ask, "Am I being inclusive? Am I being compassionate?" It’s about living those values, making sure we listen, support, and validate those who experience racism.
At ELHT, we have a zero-tolerance approach to racism. Whether it manifests as blatant discrimination or subtle microaggressions, we must challenge it. Most importantly, we must honour the experiences of those affected by it and work together to find solutions.
We are stronger together at ELHT. Because that’s who we are.
We also have a responsibility beyond our walls. As an anchor organisation in our community, we can positively influence the people around us—our families, teams, patients, and wider communities. But first, we need to focus on ourselves. That means educating, training, and listening to each other so we can build a stronger, more united team.
That’s why I’m excited to announce the ELHT Get Together—a two-week series of events designed for colleagues to connect, learn, and grow together as we work towards becoming an even more inclusive and compassionate organisation.
These events will include listening sessions where colleagues can share their experiences, as well as anti-racism and allyship training to help us move closer to becoming an actively anti-racist organisation.
One of the most exciting parts of this event will be the launch of the Neurodiversity and Hidden Disabilities Network, which aims to create a more inclusive environment for colleagues. We will also offer inclusive recruitment training for managers, to make sure our hiring processes support and attract diverse talent.
In addition, we’ll explore psychological safety in the workplace and offer a special session on understanding Islamophobia, highlighting the challenges faced by our Muslim colleagues and ways we can all be more supportive.
These events are designed to foster a sense of belonging and create a truly inclusive environment for everyone who works at ELHT. Whether you attend online or in person, your participation is vital to building a stronger, more connected workplace.
All of this will lead up to the main event —the Going for Gold: Anti-Racism and Allyship Summit. This summit will celebrate our achievement of the Bronze Award for our commitment to advancing anti-racism within the Trust. It will highlight the progress we've made through the Aarushi Project and share the learning from our Clinical Quality Academy improvement project.
At the summit, we’ll hear from inclusive leaders already working to address health inequalities and who are actively engaged with their communities. They’ll showcase the actions that leaders and colleagues can take, and the incredibly positive impact these actions can have. We hope this will inspire as many colleagues as possible to get involved as we move forward towards achieving the Silver and Gold awards.
Taking that first step—acknowledging that racism exists, even within ourselves—can be difficult. However, the summit and the events being held over the next two weeks will highlight the power of unity and collaboration in challenging and dismantling racism.
Together, we can make a meaningful difference, and these sessions will demonstrate the positive impact that comes when we actively work towards change.
As I close this blog, I will leave you with four calls to action:
- Be mindfully inclusive and compassionate in everything you do.
- Don’t dismiss someone’s experience of racism—be curious, listen, and work together for change.
- Start changing your own behaviour and the people around you—your colleagues, your family, your community.
- Develop a personal and professional plan to contribute to anti-racism. If all 10,000 colleagues take action, if each member of our community makes a change, imagine the momentum we can build.
Let’s take this opportunity to reflect, act, and come together to build a future where racism has no place. By working collectively, we can create a more inclusive Trust where everyone feels valued and supported.
If this blog has inspired you, we encourage you to share your thoughts by completing our quick and anonymous survey. Your honest feedback is essential to help us grow and continue our journey toward becoming an actively anti-racist organisation.
Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Thank you,
Uma