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Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust introduces wheel of privilege in allyship training

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 12:39AM UTC

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has launched an optional allyship training module featuring a ‘wheel of privilege’ to raise awareness of marginalisation and power dynamics among staff, sparking debate over its approach to identity and privilege.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (SFHT) has introduced a "wheel of privilege" as part of an optional "allyship training" module aimed at helping staff understand dynamics of marginalisation and power within society. The wheel, which categorises levels of privilege based on characteristics such as race, body size, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status, ranks those who are white, thin, straight, and financially comfortable as holding the most power. Conversely, the diagram identifies individuals with darker skin, those experiencing poverty, individuals who are transgender, and those who are larger-bodied as occupying the least powerful positions.

This initiative forms part of a voluntary training package designed to supplement the Trust’s mandatory diversity training. The programme is available for staff engagement across Sherwood Forest Hospitals, including the Sutton-in-Ashfield hospital run by the Trust.

The privilege wheel has attracted criticism from some quarters. A veteran Conservative Member of Parliament, representing a Lincolnshire constituency, described the tool as promoting “half-baked, intellectually vacuous” identity politics. Speaking to the Express, the MP highlighted potential drawbacks in the approach, saying: “This kind of nonsense can have a vicious effect in that if you happen to be a white person who might be facing challenges – these could be health issues, or being widowed, or caring for elderly parents – that person could still be deemed to be privileged.” He further pointed out the complexities of privilege, noting, “Yet if you are rich, black and portly you are still considered to be somewhat under-privileged (according to the wheel).”

The introduction of this training module comes amid ongoing debates about identity, power structures, and professional environments within public sector organisations. The Trust’s efforts reflect a wider interest in fostering awareness around systemic inequalities, although this latest scheme has sparked discussion about how concepts of privilege are defined and communicated to healthcare staff.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.gbnews.com/news/nhs-trust-nottingham-wheel-privilege-woke - This article discusses Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's use of a 'wheel of privilege' to help staff understand different levels of privilege, which corroborates the introduction and purpose of the wheel. It also highlights the criticism the initiative has received from various groups.
https://www.gbnews.com/news/nhs-white-privilege-woke-madness - Although this article refers to a different NHS Trust, it provides context on similar training initiatives within the NHS that focus on privilege and the challenges faced by staff when discussing sensitive topics.
https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/sar_report/sar_tti_22.pdf - This document does not directly relate to the topic but highlights broader discussions around social and economic issues. However, it doesn't offer specific support for the claims made about the NHS training.
https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/media/rpbda2g0/foi-552-inclusive-language-guide-internal-diversity-training-280225.pdf - This PDF provides insight into Sherwood Forest Hospitals' diversity and inclusion initiatives, though it does not specifically address the 'wheel of privilege'. It shows the Trust's commitment to diversity and inclusion training.
https://nhsproviders.org/inclusive-leadership/improvements-and-shortcomings-in-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-a-conversation-with-navina-evans-and-richard-mitchell - This link discusses broader issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion within the NHS, providing context for the kinds of initiatives Sherwood Forest Hospitals is undertaking, though it does not directly address the 'wheel of privilege'.
https://www.noahwire.com - This URL is mentioned as the source for the original article but does not provide additional corroboration since it is not specific to a relevant webpage or article discussing Sherwood Forest Hospitals' 'wheel of privilege' initiative.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2047691/woke-nhs-trust-tells-staff - Please view link - unable to able to access data

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The content does not appear to be old or recycled from previous reports. However, specific details such as the date of introduction or updates on the training module are not provided.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: A direct quote is attributed to a Conservative MP, but without a specific reference to an earlier source. The quote seems to reflect recent commentary rather than an older statement, though it cannot be verified as an original first-time use.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from the Express, a publication that, while well-established, can have varying credibility depending on the topic. There is no indication of peer review or expert consensus in the content.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the introduction of a 'wheel of privilege' for staff training are plausible and align with current debates on identity and inclusivity in workplaces. However, the reactions and critiques mentioned are typical of such initiatives.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative discusses a current and controversial topic with plausible claims. However, it lacks detailed verification and expert validation, which typically characterise more reliable narratives. The reliance on a single source without additional expert insights limits confidence.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals
allyship training
privilege wheel
NHS
diversity training