Creating the climate for diversity and race equality in health care

In 1997 the Department of Health funded eight projects to demonstrate 'main streaming' responses to minority ethnic health in the NHS. 'Mainstreaming' is understood to require cultural, organisation and practice change; sustai ning such change is a major challenge. Evaluation of the projects identifie d that leadership was a critical factor in encouraging change that was last ing. Other important issues were maintaining the desire changes in a turbul ent organisational context and linking changes in practice with other prior ities and initiatives. The agenda for the New NHS presents an opportunity f or learning from this programme to be put into practice across the Departme nt of Health and the NHS.