The London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) is a combined programme of work to empower health and care organisations to adopt an anti-racist approach and to address the health inequalities that Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic Londoners experience.
London is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse cities, with more than 4 in 10 Londoners identifying as being Black, Asian or from a minoritised ethnic group. About half of all NHS staff in London are from Black, Asian or minoritised groups; the proportion is even higher for doctors, nurses, midwives, and people working in social care.
Despite this diversity, racial health inequalities are prevalent in our city.
Put simply, if you are a Black, Asian or minoritised ethnic Londoner, you are likely to die at a significantly younger age and spend more of your life in poor health.
These inequalities also extend to the workforce, where Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic NHS staff are less likely to be employed in senior roles and more likely to experience bullying, harassment or disciplinary action at work than their White peers.
Collaborating for change
To address the persistent health inequalities faced by Londoners, we need to act across sectors.
The London Health and Care Partnership (LHCP) is committed to working cooperatively to tackle health inequalities experienced by Londoners. In 2023, the LHCP launched the London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) to drive forward action on the stark ethnic health inequalities seen in the city, and create a fairer, heathier city.
The Collaboration supports the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Tackling Ethnic Health Inequalities through an Anti-Racist Approach, a wide-ranging plan for collaborative working to address structural and systemic racism within London’s health and care system and develop the evidence base around this critical issue.
Through collaboration on anti-racism we aim to:
- increase accountability and measurable progress in anti-racist efforts across health and care
- improve leadership engagement, embedding anti-racist policies at all levels
- reduce racial disparities in health and care
- build a strong network of professionals equipped to drive real change
- ensure health and care partners and senior leaders support work on anti-racism as a sustained priority across London.
The London Health and Care Partnership funds activity to support the Collaboration, which is delivered by the Race Equality Foundation and Health Innovation Network South London.