Have you ever thought about the difference between equity and equality in healthcare, and why it really matters?

In this episode of London in Mind, host Dr. Estelle Moore speaks with Dr. Amrit Sachar, Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality at the Royal College of Psychiatry.

They explore how systemic inequality directly shapes health outcomes in the UK with evidence showing that disadvantage can literally shorten lives. Together, they consider how psychologically informed approaches can create health and care environments where both staff and patients experience justice rather than harm.

Drawing on her frontline experience in liaison psychiatry, Dr. Sachar shares what she’s learned about the impact of inequality and the practical steps we can take to create a fairer, more inclusive system. Whether you work in health and care or have lived experience of the NHS, this conversation offers both critical insight and down-to-earth ideas for lasting change.

• Why access isn’t the same for everyone
• Compassionate policymaking in overstretched services
• The impact of structural inequality during COVID lockdowns
• Feeling overwhelmed about implementing equity? Why starting small matters
• How stereotypes can influence clinical judgement
• Why equity, diversity, and inclusion are more important than ever
• Making equity part of the system, not just a training module

Dr. Amrit Sachar is an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong track record in leadership, medical education, and quality improvement. She serves as Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality at the Royal College of Psychiatry and has a Master’s in Leadership in Quality Improvement from Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School.

• Marmot Review: Ten Years On (Institute of Health Equity)
• A powerful follow-up to the landmark Marmot Review, documenting how health inequalities in England have widened over the past decade.
• “Snowy White Peaks of the NHS” – Roger Kline
• A seminal paper exposing the lack of diversity at the top of NHS leadership and why it matters for equity.
• No More Tick Boxes (Roger Kline, 2021)
• A review highlighting why traditional equality initiatives often fail — and what organisations can do differently.
• ACEs and Population Health (CDC)
• Evidence on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how early-life inequality impacts health across the lifespan.
• NHS England » Patient and carer race equality framework [PRECF] The mandatory framework designed to support trusts and providers on their journeys to becoming actively anti-racist organisations.

About the Psychological Professions Network:

The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) is a multi-professional membership network commissioned by NHS England that brings together professionals, living experience advisors and partners from across provider trusts, integrated care systems, higher...