Jacynth Ivey MBE, winner of the Compasionate and Inclusive Leader award with Francis Adzinku, Associate Director, Oxleas NHS Trust
The achievements of BAME staff from across the health and care sectors were celebrated at the vibrant and cultural inaugural National BAME Health & Care Awards (BAMEHCA), held at Unison in London last night – hosted by Coach, Speaker and Author, Rasheed Ogunlaru.
The awards champion the accomplishments of people in the health and care sectors who have made significant improvements in career development support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff or in the improvement of services or access to services for people from BAME communities.
Eight individuals and programmes were recognised on the night for being exceptional leaders, change drivers or initiatives. After the event, the winners will have access to on-going peer support and a professional development programme to encourage their further development towards significant leadership roles in health and care.
BAMEHCA Founder Wendy Olayiwola said: “BAME staff contribute immensely to the development and sustainability of British health and social care. However, we are aware of reports in recent years about the challenges and frustrations that remain for BAME staff over lack of representation at senior levels in the health and other issues that reinforce a sense of marginalisation.
“More needs to be done to showcase the talents and excellent work BAME staff are doing in the workplace whose achievements so often go unnoticed and uncelebrated.
“That is why these awards set out to not just to celebrate and encourage the outstanding work done by and for BAME colleagues and users of health and care services but provide a supportive network foundation for future progression and acknowledgement.”
Wendy added: “I believe these awards will highlight role models, local leaders and mentors to the younger generation and encourage them to embrace a profession in the sector. Moreover, it will acknowledge the rich contribution of BAME to the sector and leave a lasting legacy of excellence in patient care.”
Following the event, the winners will have access to on-going peer support and a professional development programme to encourage their further development towards significant leadership roles in health and care.
And the winners of the National BAME Health & Care Awards 2019 are:
Digital Champion – Sarah Amani (Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust)
● Sarah is the co-founder of the Shuri Network – the first NHS network for women of colour in digital health. Shuri helps women of colour develop the skills and confidence to progress into senior leadership positions so that the Trust’s leadership teams more closely represent the diversity of the local communities they serve.
Inspiring D&I Lead – Pamela Shaw (Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust)
● Pamela enthusiastically raises the profile and, added considerable value to the needs of the BAME community in Bradford. She consistently promotes her work widely and plays an active part in motivating staff, groups and networks focused on raising the profile of BAME issues and leadership. Pamela works with the Trust’s Equality/Inspire and Union Group and lead in Wakefield and is an inspiring individual with a vast array of knowledge, compassion, warmth and determination to support BAME staff.
Integration Innovator – The Teyluva Midwifery Team (Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust)
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Clinical Champion – Uma Rajesh (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
• Uma got involved with setting up and running a basic practical skills programme to deliver trauma training within the Yorkshire Modular Training programme. Uma recognised that no one in Hull was taking on the needs of women who have experienced female genital mutilation, and after seeing women with FGM in her practice decided to act. Uma formed a great partnership with a community gynaecologist and built a strong, highly committed team. The service continues to develop and now has a dedicated vulnerability midwife with exceptional skills and sensitivities.
Ground-Breaker Research – Shaji Sebastian (Hull University Teaching Hospitals)
• Shaji has been instrumental in developing the Living with IBD in SE Asians (LISA) Social Policy Unit. The importance of family support in this population cannot be underestimated as the family is integral to care and disease management. LISA has worked hard to help people understand the difference between culture and coercion so that the relationship between the healthcare professional and patient is stronger, resulting in better outcomes.
Health and Wellbeing Advocate – Adwoa Danso (The Clinic Diaries)
• The Clinic Diaries is a social media platform which discusses health and clinical issues which mainly affect young people as well as BAME groups. The Clinic Diaries was created after Dr Danso (Adwoa) realised that there was often a lack of health engagement in these specific groups. Being of Ghanaian origin, highlighting the needs and works of other minority ethnic groups is something she is extremely passionate about. She works full time as a GP in Essex and uses her spare time to run The Clinic Diaries.
Workforce Innovator (sponsored by Unison) – Syed Mujtaba Hasnain Nadir (Pennine Acute Trust)
• Dr Nadir has been instrumental in the change of behaviour towards the BAME community members, by being a role model and representing them at the highest levels. By raising their issues and becoming their voice, not only has he given them confidence, but also the belief that sincere collective effort can bring about a positive change. Due to his sincere efforts, existing very strict antibullying laws are followed every day in the department. The environment has changed from being toxic to positive and friendly for everyone, which is an epitome for any future working place.
Compassionate and Inclusive Leader – Jacynth Ivey MBE (Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
● Jacynth has contributed to transformative workforce shifts creating structural changes in BAME workforce progression. She has been, for example, a cornerstone of the design and delivery and development of the WRES Experts programme. Jacynth is also a role model and inspirational leader with over 40-years of NHS experience as a former nurse, midwife and health visitor – with significant leadership experience gained as an executive director within a Primary Care Trust and various Non-Executive Director roles.
