NHS spends £40m a year on 800 ‘diversity officers’ as furious campaigners argue money could be spent on extra 1,200 nurses as they demand resources focus on frontline services

The NHS is spending £40million per year on diversity roles as it pays more than 800 staff per year, many of whom earn at least £47,000 each, new data has revealed.

Diversity and Inclusion Officers are employed to promote equality within health care settings, and implement strategies to reduce inequality in health settings, both in treatments and medical expertise.

Many of the roles are in administration or HR, but current roles being advertised by the NHS include positions in midwifery and other health specialisms too.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance has accused the NHS of ‘picking the pockets’ of working people – but the NHS responded saying it is currently reducing the number of roles.

Read more: NHS spends £40m a year on 800 ‘diversity officers’ as furious campaigners argue money could be spent on extra 1,200 nurses as they demand resources focus on frontline services