NHS Launches First National Hindu Network to Support Staff and Patients

• First-ever national Hindu NHS Network launched to support Hindu staff and improve culturally sensitive care for patients and families.

• Addresses long-standing gaps in faith representation, identity recognition, and understanding within the NHS.

• Promotes Hindu chaplaincy, appropriate end-of-life care, prayer facilities, and suitable vegetarian/sattvic food.

• Aims to empower Hindu staff through visibility, career development, leadership pathways, and fair workplace practices.

A new national Hindu NHS Network (HNN) has been formally launched, marking the first initiative of its kind aimed at supporting Hindu staff within the National Health Service and improving culturally sensitive care for Hindu patients, carers, and families across the UK.

Established by a group of healthcare professionals and community figures, the network seeks to create a more inclusive environment within the NHS—one where Hindu identity, beliefs, and wellbeing are recognised and respected. Its founders say the initiative responds to long-standing gaps in faith-based representation and understanding within the health service.

Dr Rajeev Gupta, founder and co-convenor of the HNN, said the network is rooted in the belief that recognising identity has a direct impact on care outcomes. He noted that when staff and patients feel acknowledged and valued, trust and safety in healthcare settings improve. Dr Gupta added that many Hindus currently feel uncomfortable openly expressing their faith within the NHS, and the network hopes to change that by giving them confidence and visibility.

Dr Shiv Pande, another founding member, highlighted what he described as a widespread lack of awareness of Hindu beliefs and practices within the system. Speaking about his own experience as a patient, he recalled difficulties accessing suitable food in hospital, explaining that while non-halal options were limited, many Hindus do not consume halal food, an issue that often goes unrecognised.

The voluntary network has set out a broad agenda. Its aims include improving access to trained Hindu chaplains in hospitals and hospices, supporting NHS trusts in delivering appropriate end-of-life rites and rituals, and ensuring that Hindu patients have access to sacred texts, devotional items, and dedicated prayer spaces. The HNN also plans to advise clinical teams on care plans that take Hindu beliefs into account.

Food provision is another focus, with the network advocating for wider availability of vegetarian and sattvic meal options in hospitals. It also intends to promote and coordinate celebrations of major Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi across the NHS, while supporting staff who wish to take religious leave.

Hindus make up a substantial proportion of the NHS workforce, working as doctors, nurses, porters, managers, and administrators. Despite this, many report limited representation in senior leadership roles and difficulties in openly practising their faith at work. To address this, the network plans to offer career development sessions, mentoring opportunities, and guidance for those seeking roles on NHS boards, alongside campaigning for fair recruitment and promotion practices.

In addition, the HNN will develop and share educational resources to help non-Hindu colleagues better understand Hindu customs and religious needs, with the aim of fostering mutual respect across the service.

The network was officially launched at an event held in a committee room at the House of Commons, where Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivered a speech to mark the occasion.