The University’s Institute for Health Research (IHR) and NHS Health Education England (HEE) are working with the local communities to better understand how to increase the numbers of British born South Asians applying for nursing and midwifery courses and careers.

Guests gathered at Crescent Hall in Bury Park to find out more about studying nursing and midwifery courses at university and the opportunities available to them when they graduate. A similar event also took place at the University aimed at young people in Luton.

Students from the MSc in Public Health put on a performance reporting key findings from research reporting reasons for the under-representations of South Asians on nursing and midwifery courses and careers, which was written and directed by Bedfordshire Performing Arts student Bhargavi Gopalan and performed in English, Urdu and Punjabi.

The evaluation of these events will be used by HEE to inform future recruitment campaigns in order to broaden diversity within the NHS workforce.

Senior Research Fellow from the University’s School of Healthcare Practice Dr Nasreen Ali, who is leading the programme, said: “Increasing diversity in the NHS is a key concern for HEE, with evidence highlighting that increasing diversity brings improvements in cost management, quality of care for patients and better health outcomes.

“Through this project we want to show the South Asian community in Luton that studying nursing and midwifery courses, and having a career in these areas, is a real possibility for them, and that studying at the University can open a door to a rewarding and fulfilling career in the NHS.”

Katie Adams, National Programme Manager for Widening Participation at HEE, said: “Whilst there is evidence to suggest the NHS falls short of being a truly diverse workforce, we are working hard to change this and to demonstrate national action in supporting and building a diverse workforce that encourages people from all walks of life, where success is based on merit, ability, motivation and values.”