In this blog, Noor Nixon, Project Lead at UWE Bristol, reflects on the nationwide impact and adoption of UWE Bristol’s Inclusive Training within Practice project, which provides resources to tackle racism and improve equity for Minority Ethnic learners in healthcare education.

One year ago, the Council of Deans’ 2024 Race Equity Month blog series spotlighted a transformative initiative: the Inclusive Training within Practice (ITP) project, led by UWE Bristol and funded by NHS England South West. The project addressed systemic racism and discrimination in healthcare education, launching a suite of training and learning resources aimed at improving the experiences and outcomes of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic learners.

Now, a year later, the project has made significant strides. The resources have gained national traction, reshaping conversations around equity, and driving measurable change in healthcare education.

Nationwide Rollout and Impact

Since their national launch, the free, multi-professional training resources have been widely adopted across UK universities. Their flexible and scalable design allows institutions to conduct local gap analyses and tailor implementation to meet specific needs. The NHS Learning Hub catalogue has recorded over 3,600 launches, with uptake spanning regions including Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Oxford, London, Yorkshire, and Cumbria.

Supporting Systemic Change Through Staff Training

Organisational Development and Learning and Development teams are integrating ITP resources into all-staff training programmes. E-learning packages such as Implicit Bias and Intercultural Communication, alongside Racial Literacy Guide videos, support staff in engaging with reflective and reflexive learning. These tools are helping to shift institutional culture and promote inclusive behaviours across the board.

Addressing Degree Ethnicity Awarding Gaps

Reducing the Degree Ethnicity Awarding Gap remains a priority for universities. Practice placement experiences are critical to learner outcomes, and the ITP project offers targeted resources to address this. An introductory video for healthcare practice educators highlights how their roles may influence learner experiences and contribute to awarding gaps. Additional materials, including Inclusive practice training slides and inclusive teaching and practice guidance, equip academic teams to adopt inclusive approaches and improve outcomes for Minority Ethnic learners.

Dr Hyun-Joo Lim, FHSS Inclusivity Lead at Bournemouth University, reflects:

“I have a much more acute sense of awareness of what is happening in the practice education space related to racism, bias and discrimination and the impact on student experience… and now we have some tangible and impactful solutions.”

Preparing Learners for an Inclusive Workforce

The project also supports learners directly. Peer support videos on intercultural communication help international students navigate challenges and share practical tips. A comprehensive suite of learning resources is available to all healthcare learners, designed to complement existing ‘preparation for practice’ training. These materials empower students to become effective allies and contribute to building a more inclusive future workforce.

Sadhna, an international healthcare student, shares:

“These packages have profoundly impacted me by validating my lived experiences and offering actionable insights to address the systemic challenges that individuals like me face in healthcare education and practice settings.”

As the ITP project continues to widen reach, it offers a powerful model for embedding equity into healthcare education and shaping more inclusive workplaces and learning environments.

Access the ITP resources on NHS Learning Hub

Find out about the Integrated Care Academy at UWE Bristol

Contact the Project Lead to discuss the resources Noor.Nixon@uwe.ac.uk