13 March 2025
Achieving equity in health and care means ensuring everyone has access to safe, high-quality services, with the focus of those with the greater need. Yet systemic inequalities, and inequities persist, affecting patient outcomes and experiences. From medical education to clinical practice, representation plays a crucial role in accurate and timely diagnoses, influencing survival rates, shaping perceptions of how diseases affect different groups, and strengthening a healthcare workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.
On 26 March 2025, the NHS Wales Executive and Public Health Wales will host The Race to Equity: Advancing Health and Care for All, a virtual summit tackling health inequalities and supporting Welsh Government priorities for a fairer, more inclusive healthcare system. The event, supported by Q Lab Cymru and the REACH Diversity Network, will bring together health and care professionals, policymakers, educators, and anyone with a professional or personal interest in advancing equity.
Among the speakers is Chidiebere Ibe, a globally recognised medical illustrator. His now-famous 2021 illustration of a black fetus underscored the importance of representation in medical education. But beyond the artwork, his mission is clear: to create a healthcare system that sees and serves everyone equally.
"If people don’t see themselves represented, it can make them feel unseen and unheard," Chidiebere explains. “Representation shapes patient safety, diagnosis, and trust in the system.”
The summit will also feature Star Moyo, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who will explore the impact of trauma and its links to health inequalities.
The REACH Diversity Network - an initiative within Public Health Wales - works to embed inclusive practices across health and care, ensuring that diverse voices help shape policy, education, and service delivery.
"We know that representation in healthcare goes beyond images - it extends to research, policy, and practice," say Des Brown and Oghogho Orife, co-chairs of the REACH Network. "That’s why conversations like this matter. They push us to rethink how we approach safety, equity, and inclusion across health and care."
The Race to Equity summit is open to anyone with a professional or personal interest in advancing equity in health and care. Register today and select a breakout session that best aligns with your area of interest:
The event will also feature an expert panel discussion on building a culturally competent, inclusive healthcare system.
Date: 26 March 2025
Time: 10am – 1pm
Platform: MS Teams: Register here.
For more information, contact Sue Loizos.