Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 21 October

October 21, 2022

Throughout Black History Month we recognise and celebrate black history and the valuable contribution of people from African and Caribbean backgrounds. A contribution that I believe is often overlooked.

Within the NHS, and our Trust’s history, this contribution remains hugely significant. The stories from our own people from the Windrush generation must be remembered as we appreciate the brave men and women who responded to the call for help and came to Britain at the birth of the NHS.

In Sandwell’s education centre you will see portraits of just a few of these individuals, many of whom are still working at the Trust. One of these is Janice Nelson, who is a clinical procurement specialist. This month Janice was crowned the winner of the Royal College of Nursing’s Black History Month “Making a Difference” award. She was selected because of her excellent work to champion equality, diversity and inclusion within the procurement and finance department and has developed a three-year plan that aims to improve EDI throughout the supply chain. I, along with her procurement team colleagues, could not be more proud of Janice and of this achievement.

This is one story out of many from a host of remarkable people within our Trust who are shaping and improving how we work and what we do, challenging prejudice and highlighting the experiences of Black, Asian and Minoritized Ethnic people working in the NHS.

The culture within our organisation is created through the diversity of our workforce that reflects our local populations. It is vital that we recognise and get to know people’s different backgrounds and experiences so that our workplace is inclusive for all.  We were given two ears and one mouth in that ratio for a reason – more listening and understanding of people’s heritage is required from all of us, me included.

I am really looking forward to Unison’s Black History Month celebration event on 28 October at City Hospital. I hope that as many of you as possible can join us on the day and also take time this month to understand a bit more about the history of our people from African and Caribbean heritage.

Earlier in the week our communications bulletin included a poem by Professor Laura Serrant, that was performed at the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s annual BME conference. It is a fantastic reflection on the contributions made by black nurses to the NHS and also highlights the experiences of prejudice and hardship. You can read it here.