England, UK: The British Indian Nurses Association (BINA) has set an ambitious target to increase the representation of Indian-origin nurses in executive roles across the UK healthcare sector by 2027. This goal, aimed at tackling systemic inequality in healthcare leadership, was revealed during BINA's third annual conference in Leicester.

This announcement coincided with a notable milestone from the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which reported a record number of 67,576 Indian nurses now registered, making up 8% of the UK's total nursing and midwifery workforce.

Marimouttou Coumarassamy, BINA's founder and chair, acknowledged the significant contributions of Indian nurses to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) but pointed out the ongoing challenges. "Our impact on the NHS and the health of our adopted nation is undeniable, but maintaining this momentum requires focused action," he said.

Despite the substantial numbers, only six Indian-origin nurses currently hold chief nurse roles in the NHS, a gap that Coumarassamy attributes to the "glass ceiling" and systemic barriers in leadership pathways.

To tackle this issue, BINA has partnered with Hunter Healthcare, a recruitment firm, to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing career progression. A new senior nurses network will offer mentorship and specialized programs to prepare members for senior leadership positions. "We are determined to double the representation of Indian-origin nurses in executive roles by 2027, and this is a goal we are committed to achieving," Coumarassamy emphasized.

Additionally, Coumarassamy celebrated the appointment of Bejoy Sebastian as the first Indian-origin president of the Royal College of Nursing. "Bejoy's appointment marks a breakthrough, and we applaud his leadership and compassion in breaking through the highest barriers," he added.