Trust launches ambitious Health Inequalities Strategic Plan
We are proud to launch our ambitious new Health Inequalities Strategic Plan (2025-30).
The plan outlines our vision in which everyone, regardless of background, has equitable access to culturally sensitive, high-quality mental health services, supported by strong partnerships, transparent data, and a workforce empowered to make real change.
This strategy places racial equity at the core of our work, acknowledging that systemic barriers - especially for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities - have led to poorer access, experience, and outcomes in mental health care. The plan outlines our ambition to expand to underserved groups such as neurodiverse individuals, the Deaf community, and the LGBTQ+ community.
The plan sets out interventions across three strategic pillars:
- Equity in Access and Reduced Disparities – Embedding fairness in services, tackling barriers to access, and prioritising the most affected groups.
- Inclusive Community Engagement and Integrated Care – Strengthening trust and partnership with communities to co-design and deliver more responsive care.
- Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability – Making inequalities data visible, actionable, and a core part of long-term service planning.
The plan builds on our existing anti-racism initiatives, including staff training, community engagement, and leadership development.
Implementation begins in 2025 with the creation of a Health Inequalities Advisory Group, including people with lived experience, community leaders, and system partners.
Vanessa Ford, Chief Executive said:
"Health inequalities persist across our communities - and we must not just accept that. This strategic plan sets out our ambitions to tackle structural injustice, built on our promise to lead with anti-racism, collaboration, and accountability at every level. We know that for many this couldn’t come sooner.
“We understand this journey won’t be easy. It comes at a time of increased demand and reduced resources. However, we believe that prioritising equity isn’t just the right thing to do, it is also an operational necessity. We must be smarter, more focused, and more united than ever before.”
“We are deeply grateful to our patients, carers, partners, voluntary sector colleagues who helped shape this plan. Their voices will continue to guide its implementation.”
Dr Iram Sattar, Chair of the Health Inequalities Advisory Group, stated:
"This plan reflects our core belief that mental health care should be fair, inclusive, and rooted in trust. By embedding anti-racism and health equity into everything we do, we’re creating lasting impact - not just for today’s patients, but for future generations."
“Real change takes collective effort and the success of this plan depends on inclusive partnership and collaboration with our diverse communities. Together, we can turn this ambition into meaningful action and build a mental health system that works for all.”
