NELFT PCREF Logo - Patient and Carers Race Equality Framework (PCREF)

Welcome to PCREF @ NELFT

We are proud to be one of the first Trusts implementing the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) – NHS England’s first anti-racism framework in mental health care. PCREF is all about making services fairer, more inclusive, and better for everyone, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

What is PCREF?

PCREF is a bold, system-wide approach to eliminating racial inequalities in mental health. It focuses on equity, anti-racism, and co-production to make sure patients and carers are at the heart of everything we do.

We have been implementing PCREF in NELFT since April 2022, shaping our services through data, partnerships, lived experience, and community voice.

Meet the PCREF Team

Meet the PCREF Programme Delivery team:

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Photo of Wellington smiling at the camera Debbie Smith Photo of Erica smiling at the camera

Wellington Makala

Debbie Smith

Erica Deti
Executive Chief Nursing Officer Director of Nursing and Patient Experience

PCREF Project Lead 
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Asia Zaman Photo of Mkieva smiling at the camera
Asia Zaman Mkieva Bray
PCREF Transformation Project Manager Project Support Officer

To get involved contact us at PCREF@nelft.nhs.uk – we’d love to hear from you!

Our Workstreams

Carers

Supporting carers of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. We’re working to recognise, include, and support carers in all care plans.

Black Male Experience

Addressing the overrepresentation of Black men in acute care and creating safe spaces for prevention, trust-building, and therapeutic support.

South Asian Women & Access

Improving access to talking therapies and mental health services for South Asian women by making services more culturally responsive.

Perinatal Care

A new workstream Focusing on Black and South Asian women who face higher risks during pregnancy and birth. The aim is to build culturally sensitive care and stronger support.

Young People

A new workstream that addresses health equity for young people.

How We Work: PCREF in Action

We are building equity into the heart of our systems not just as a goal but as a way of working. Whether it is hosting community events or designing new tools we are working side by side with people who use our services, carers and staff.

  • PCREF Programme Delivery Board and Advisory Groups made up of carers, users of services, staff, and partners
  • Carers Voice Forum – co-produced by carers and service users
  • African Caribbean Health shows/Pop Up clinics
  • Community Events and workshops
  • Focus engagement sessions in local schools and community spaces
  • Data Dashboards using Power BI for visibility and accountability
  • Tri-Trust Partnership with NELFT, ELFT & Oxleas

Key Principles we follow (Organisational Competencies)

Co-production – designing services with communities, not for them

Partnership working  – working closely with local groups, faith leaders, and more

Cultural Awareness – recognising heritage, history, and unique perspectives

Co-Learning – everyone learns and grows together

Equity & Anti-Racism – we challenge bias and act on inequality

Inclusive Workforce – diverse, empowered, and ready to lead change

Data & Impact

We track progress through Power BI dashboards to ensure services are equitable. Key data includes:

  • Admissions and detentions under the Mental Health Act
  • Referrals and dropout rates by ethnicity
  • Access to services by community group

This helps us to target improvements, hold ourselves accountable, and celebrate success.

Next Steps for PCREF

  • Expanding the Perinatal and Young People workstreams
  • Launching a Service Evaluation and Assessment Tool using organisational competencies
  • Building our PCREF Cultural Network with external partners
  • Developing a Trust-Wide Health Equity Strategic Plan
  • Enhancing leadership through Lived Experience and Clinical Equity Roles