All NHS services are required to ask patients what ethnic group they belong to. Recording this information is important so the NHS can:

  • Understand the needs of different ethnic groups
  • Identify people who might be more at risk of some conditions - for example, some types of cancer are more common in people from certain ethnic groups
  • Provide better and more appropriate services, and 
  • Make sure people of all ethnic groups, religions and cultures can use NHS services easily.

An ethnic group is not the same thing as nationality. For example, someone with British nationality can belong to any ethnic group. 

We will ask you what ethnic group you feel best describes you. The NHS uses 16 standard categories that are nationally recognised. These are listed below.

If you do not identify with any of the ethnic categories listed, you can select ‘Other Ethnic Groups - Any other ethnic group' (Code S) and any details can be added as free text. 

The information you provide will be treated as part of your confidential NHS notes. Your information will be carefully kept safe. The NHS has strict data protection standards. If you have any concerns or questions about this, please email our Data Protection Officer. 

Ethnic groups used in the NHS

  • A: White – British
  • B: White – Irish
  • C: White – Any other White background
  • D: Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
  • E: Mixed – White and Black African
  • F: Mixed – White and Asian
  • G: Mixed – Any other mixed background
  • H: Asian or Asian British – Indian
  • J: Asian or Asian British – Pakistani
  • K: Asian or Asian British – Bangladeshi
  • L: Asian or Asian British – Any other Asian background
  • M: Black or Black British – Caribbean
  • N: Black or Black British – African
  • P: Black or Black British – Any other Black background
  • R: Other Ethnic Groups – Chinese
  • S: Other Ethnic Groups – Any other ethnic group