Embedding diversity and inclusion in community nursing: insights from a unity in care event

Community nursing operates at the intersection of health and social care, often serving populations facing significant barriers to health equity, including socioeconomic disadvantages, cultural differences and geographical isolation. The role of community nurses is pivotal, being uniquely positioned to build trust, deliver personalised care and advocate for systemic change.

The NHS People Plan (NHS England, 2020) emphasises the creation of compassionate and inclusive workplaces to support a diverse workforce capable of addressing contemporary care challenges. Similarly, Lord Darzi's report (2024) underscored the need to reduce health inequalities through proactive, person-centred approaches. Workforce diversity strengthens the profession by fostering innovation, wellbeing and psychological safety—essential qualities as the focus of care shifts from ‘hospital to community’ (Department of Health and Social Care, 2024).

The recent Unity in Care: a community nursing, health, diversity and inclusion summit hosted by NHS England North East and Yorkshire brought together 100 community nurses, leaders and students to explore diversity and inclusion in practice. Through presentations, workshops and networking opportunities, the summit created a space for sharing insights, challenges and successes, inspiring attendees to champion equity and inclusivity in their teams and communities. The discussions provided critical reflections on the systemic barriers facing community nursing and highlighted opportunities to address these challenges, identifying the themes of trust, culture and aspiration throughout the event.