Publish date: 18 May 2026
We all have a role to play in improving healthcare and need to collectively improve our data collection on protected characteristics to make sure our services are inclusive and equitable, identify inequalities, and inform service development.
Protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership
This data is important and is used to personalise care, remove barriers to accessing services, and understand our community needs.
Please remember to ask your patients and service users for this information when completing any forms, explaining why it matters and how it will be used to improve care.