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Power of networks - a blog from Pam Bhupal

Posted on: 12 October 2022

Welcome to Black History Month, an opportunity to delve into learning, understanding, and celebrating our Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.

This week’s blog comes from Pam Bhupal, Programme support manager at the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. 

Pam BhupalIt’s been quite a journey since West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership launched the racial inequalities training in 2020. We built on this and conducted the race review in the impacts of COVID -19 on our diverse communities, and subsequently launched the Root Out Racism movement.

I was one of the dozen or so faces of the movement. I’ve been reflecting on that journey, and how it takes a level of bravery to put yourself out there for a cause that may be perceived as controversial due to the uncomfortable topics it would cover, but we knew the cause and aim was right to be involved in. It wasn’t going to be easy, and at points it really wasn’t. When issues regarding the movement were raised, it was so important for us, those who had put ourselves out there, to know we had allyship and support from all our colleagues and the organisations we represented.

We need you all to continue to stand by our side and be allies and speak up for justice and parity.

The racial inequalities training is one way you can do this. Change starts with us. 

I am firm believer in lifting as you climb, in helping recognise potential and talent, and then supporting individuals to grow into leadership positions. The diversification of senior leadership is happening across the Partnership - you can now see it in practice! 

As some of you may know I have been heavily involved in the set up and constituting of the APNA Network. ‘Apna’ is a South Asian word which means ‘our’. It shares the diversity of thoughts and views of South Asian Heritage NHS leaders who are proud to be members of the NHS, thereby calling it “our NHS”.

APNA NHS members are passionate about using the network to influence, impact and create positive change. We care deeply about patients and positive patient outcomes, as well as the welfare, health, and wellbeing of all our own NHS staff. Challenging and actively addressing inequalities, representation at all levels and positively tackling issues of equality diversity and inclusion are central to everything we do.

The network started as a WhatsApp group with many colleagues from West Yorkshire actively involved. Since I joined in 2020, 20+ colleagues have been supported and lifted into senior roles across NHS Trusts. On 9 and 10 September 2022 we held our inaugural conference at Warwick University. It was great to see the networking, the new friendships made, the acknowledgement of similar experiences of discrimination and a collective urge to make a positive change on health and workforce inequalities. I was fortunate to participate in a roundtable dinner attended by Chairs and CEOs of some hospital trusts across the country, which provided reassurance of commitment and allyship. The network has provided me with a network of professionals outside our partnership, who understand me professionally and culturally. Such networks are important in cementing your sense of belonging, and I urge you to find such networks to be a part of and show your support through allyship.

When we are going through incidents of prejudice or discrimination, and it can be a lonely place - it’s important to share your experiences – both for support and raising wider awareness. It is this sharing of lived experiences which helps individuals feel empowered – the sudden recognition that it is not just you or something you’re doing wrong, that there is an ingrained institutional discrimination which impacts many of us, and that we collectively challenge to create positive change in our organisations.

By sharing our experiences, continuing to tackle racism we improve patient outcomes and increase wellbeing across our communities – isn’t that what we all want? 

Have a good weekend all,
Pam

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