Councillor Paulette Hamilton, Mental Health Champion for Birmingham City Council, referred to her own experiences as a nurse and talked about the gradual process of change and how the positive work we are doing, through addressing these issues, will “help our children and our children’s children to create a legacy.”
The theatrical interludes, by Hearth Drama Company and AFTA Thought Drama Company, evocatively told stories of some of the struggles faced by BME nursing staff, based on real-life stories from the NHS.
Paul Vaughan, Regional Director of RCN talked about the processes needed for change and highlighted the role of Cultural Ambassadors, a regional initiative that was introduced this year to local NHS trusts. Within our Trust they act as a staff support group, using their training to help raise awareness and tackle issues of equality and diversity across the workforce, something which this event was championing.
Judged by the success, we are hoping to hold the event again next year to demonstrate the commitment we have made as a Trust to value the diversity of our workforce and the communities we serve.
