As Black History Month draws to a close, we look upon how to continue to promote and cherish diversity in our organisation. Rakiya Suleiman, Equality and Diversity Adviser and co-chair of the BME Network, has written the following piece about the corporate objective set by NHS Lothian last year called Advancing Equality.
Evidence continues to emerge showing that people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and the pandemic remains a particularly anxious time for BME staff, volunteers, and patients, as well as those who they care for and care for them. The issues highlighted by the pandemic for minority ethnic communities and workers are wide-ranging and complex, including racial, health, social and economic inequalities. The global profile of the Black Lives Matter movement has at the same time brought a focus to broader issues affecting society and groups of people within it.
NHS Lothian stated that as an organisation, it would actively listen to BME staff through the BME Network. Two listening sessions were held with BME staff on 15 and 16 June 2020 with follow up meetings by senior management.
At these meetings, we heard a wide range of experiences described by those in attendance, and while many BME staff said they were ‘fine’, others had more painful feelings including frustration and anger.
At these listening sessions, the BME Network listened to and heard the voices of more than eighty BME staff. We heard their voices loud and clear. We also received messages of genuine concern and solidarity from non-BME staff who conveyed their thoughts on the subject.
These discussions have led to the development of an Equality Action Plan. This plan is not limited to just the BME network but includes all staff networks: the Disabled Employee Network, LGBT+ Staff & Allies Network, Youth Network, and Carers Network. This is being supported by NHS Lothian’s leadership, and each network is leading the process for their group.
Janis Butler, Director of HR and OD, said: ‘We see the BME Staff Network as the cornerstone in developing our Race Equality Action Plan and want to base our organisational approach on the voices of our staff members.’
NHS Lothian is committed to take action to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce and to implement actions to prevent racism and other forms of discrimination in our organisation. The Advancing Equality Corporate Objective commits senior leaders and Non-Executive Board to spend time joining and coming to talk to members of the staff networks to hear the lived experience of staff from the Networks, and to hear what it’s really like to be a member of staff from the protected groups working in NHS Lothian. This will initially be in 1:1 conversations, then as groups and hopefully leading on to reverse mentorship. An example of such activities can be viewed here.
Communications plan will be further developed and implemented to celebrate diversity and the wealth of culture within NHS Lothian.
We plan to further develop action plans to demonstrate NHS Lothian’s zero tolerance of racism and any other forms of discrimination aimed at our staff or by our staff. We continue to work collaboratively with colleagues in Organisational Development, education teams, the trade union partnerships, allies, and all other supportive services to make NHS Lothian a better place to work.
Our local networks are fully supportive of this engagement. They are prepared to work in collaboration with the National BME forum with a clear role and remit and governance structure which will focus on collaboration and commitment to drive change.
As you all joined us in celebration of Black History Month, I say thank you to all our colleagues and to those who paved ways for us to have this platform to discuss equality and inclusion.
I would like to share with you the two quotes I received from my husband when I commenced my post as Equality and Diversity adviser, and both mean a lot to me.
“When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser, more inclusive and better as an organisation.” – Pat Wadors
“A diverse mix of voices actions leads to a better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.” – Sundar Pichai
Rakiya Suleiman, Equality and Diversity Adviser NHS Lothian
BME Co-Chair
If you would like to join a staff network, you can learn more about each network here.
