The Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) is a mandatory framework used by NHS organizations and healthcare providers in England to compare the career and workplace experiences of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff with those of white staff.
Key Details of the WRES
- Introduction: Launched on April 1, 2015, by the NHS Equality and Diversity Council to ensure fair treatment and equal access to career opportunities
- The Nine Indicators: Organizations are required to demonstrate progress across nine specific metrics:Four focus on workforce data (such as relative likelihood of being appointed from shortlisting and entering formal disciplinary processes)
- Mandatory Compliance: Implementation is a contractual requirement for NHS commissioners and healthcare providers via the NHS standard contract
- Broader Adoption: Similar frameworks, such as the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) and tailored equivalents in Wales, have since been developed to address racial disparities across wider health and social care sectors
