This Black History Month, we’re highlighting just a few of our valued colleagues from our Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. We recently spoke with Pedetin Femi-Olekanma, Clinical Skills Facilitator, who shared her experiences working at NHS Lothian.
Tell us about you, your role, when you joined, and your background before NHS Lothian?
Before joining NHS Lothian in 2005, I was a registered nurse and midwife in Nigeria. During my career there, I worked in various roles across multiple hospitals, caring for medical and surgical patients, children, pregnant women, mothers, and newborns, as well as managing outpatient clinics. My last position before relocating to the UK was as a Nursing Sister, overseeing the entire operations of a well-regarded hospital in Nigeria.
How has the culture in NHS Lothian changed through the years?
Since I joined NHS Lothian, I’ve witnessed significant changes over the years. Staff wellbeing initiatives have greatly improved, focusing on mental health support and job satisfaction, which has fostered a healthier and more supportive work environment.
There have also been strong efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities and building a more diverse workforce.
Additionally, patient-centred care has become a key focus, with greater emphasis on involving patients in their own care decisions and enhancing the overall patient experience.
What has been the biggest change in NHS Lothian for BME staff?
There have been so many changes in NHS Lothian for BME staff due to different diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, and this includes all efforts being made to promote BME individuals into leadership roles to address the historical underrepresentation at a senior level. There is also staff support networks and mentoring programs for BME employees and this has provided a lot of support and professional development. Clear reporting on recruitment and promotion data has made it easier to track disparities and has led to more targeted actions to address them.
All these changes have created a more equitable environment for BME staff. NHS Lothian has acknowledged the challenges that BME staff are facing and is working towards improving this, so that BME staff have a better experience in the organisation.
Would you recommend working for NHS Lothian/What would you say to other people from BME communities considering working for Lothian?
Oh yes, it is the best organisation to work with. They look after their staff and there is great opportunity for carer progression. NHS is very diverse in race, religion, and ethnicity and many more.
What I would say to other people from BME communities who are considering working for NHS Lothian is, that they should come in and be the best, work hard, and know that it is all about our patients first. NHS Lothian has its values, and they are about compassion, respect and dignity, quality, openness and honesty and teamwork. Once they embrace these core values, they’ll be well-prepared, enjoy their work, and achieve great results.
