Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Care Research Pilot Directions 2025

The purpose of these Directions (the Purpose) is to require NHS England to establish an information system for the collection and analysis of data from participating, publicly funded organisations providing health or social care in England for purposes of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Care Research Pilot (EDI pilot).

The EDI Pilot is established for purposes of identifying variation in participation in health and care research, based on demographics, to assess and improve equality, diversity and inclusion in such research. NHS England will provide results of its analysis in the form of reports and dashboards, which will inform the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) strategy and policy decisions with the support of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), aligned with the “Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter” and as set out in the NIHR Research Inclusion Strategy 2022-2027

These Directions are given in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 254(1), 260(2)(d), 261(3) and 304(9), (10) and (12) of the Health and Social Care Act 20121 (the 2012 Act), and sections 13ZC, 272(7) and (8) of the National Health Service Act 20062 (the 2006 Act).

These Directions are to be known as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Care Research Pilot Directions 2025 and come into force on the date after the day on which they are signed.