Sussex Partnership NHS trust joins scheme to tackle racism

July 19, 2026 - 23:48

A new initiative aimed at addressing racial inequality within mental health care has gained a key participant. The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has joined a pilot scheme designed to better support carers who identify as being from "racially marginalised" backgrounds.

The program focuses on improving the experiences of these carers, who often face additional barriers when navigating mental health services for their loved ones. Organizers say the goal is to create a more inclusive environment where concerns about discrimination are taken seriously and addressed directly. The pilot will involve training staff to recognize and challenge unconscious bias, as well as developing new feedback channels for families.

This move comes amid growing recognition that systemic racism can affect the quality of care provided to ethnic minority communities. By joining the scheme, the trust hopes to set a standard for other NHS organizations. Early steps will include listening sessions with carers to understand their specific struggles, followed by changes to how the trust recruits staff and handles complaints. The trust's leadership has stated that this is not a symbolic gesture but a practical effort to reshape everyday interactions within its wards and community teams.