INTRODUCTION

On Wednesday 5th August 2020, Synergi launched the UK’s first National Pledge to Reduce Ethnic Inequalities in Mental Health Systems in recognition that ethnic minority people with lived experience of severe mental illness continue to face disproportionate risks in mental health services, the result of longstanding ethnic inequalities and disadvantaged access to care, treatment and outcomes.

At the point of launch, the Pledge secured 30 inaugural signatories – senior leaders in NHS mental health trusts, public bodies and commissioners – who announced their commitment to take action.

Against the backdrop of George Floyd’s murder, the Black Lives Matter worldwide protests, and the exacerbation of pre-existing ethnic inequalities by Covid-19, the pledge signatories agreed to implement seven pledge commitments: 

1. Initiate fundamental service level changes to reduce ethnic inequalities in access, experience and outcomes. 
2. Measure, monitor and report the nature and extent of ethnic inequalities and progress made. 
3. Work in partnership with local BAME communities, service users and relevant community agencies. 
4. Provide national leadership on this critical issue. 
5. Ensure inclusive and sustainable change in our localities and communities. 
6. Support timely and progressive research and policy development. 
7. Contribute to a biannual progress update as part of this Statement of Intent.
   

In this section you can read the Inaugural Synergi Pledge Makers Progress Reports from our signatories, submitted as systems (Pledge commitment 7).

We also welcome three new signatories: City and Hackney Integrated Care Partnership, City of London Corporation Health and Wellbeing Board and Hackney Health and Wellbeing Board.

Joy Francis – Co-Director, Synergi Collaborative Centre and Pledge Lead