Black History Month 2023

Black History Month provides an opportunity for leaders to declare that the NHS will not stand for racism going forward. Racism, inequality, injustice within the NHS must be treated as a never-event, not par for the course.

• The NHS Confederation's BME Leadership Network exists to strengthen the voice of NHS BME leaders and to support NHS organisations to meet the needs of all communities. Membership is open to both BME leaders and non-BME supporters. Visit BME Leadership Network to become a member. 
• The Workforce Race Equality Standard 2022 report indicated that there is an additional 27,500 BME staff compared to the previous year. Whilst this is positive, the survey also indicated that the percentage of BME staff experiencing harassment, bullying and abuse from patients, relatives and the public had increased and only 44.4 per cent of BME NHS staff believe their trust provides equal opportunities for career progression or promotion. 
• The NHS England Equality, Diversity and Inclusion plan seeks to tackle these issues with high impact actions two and six: 
  • High impact two requires NHS organisations to embed fair and inclusive recruitment processes and talent management strategies that target under-representation and lack of diversity. 
  • High impact action six requires organisations to create an environment that eliminates the conditions in which bullying, discrimination, harassment and physical violence at work occur. To do this, organisations will be required to review data by protected characteristic, including BME and gender, and set reduction targets by March 2024 and implement a plan to improve the staff experience of these groups. 
• The combatting racial discrimination against nurses, midwives and nursing associates resource, published by NHS England, NHS Confederation and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, provides advice on the action you can take if you witness or experience racism. It also supports those in leadership roles to be inclusive leaders. 

• Universalise the best: An antiracist model for building healthy communities. The NHS Confederation’s BME Leadership Network is holding its annual lecture on 18 October at the House of Commons with Professor Kevin Fenton and Stephen Timms MP. SOLD OUT.
• Turning intent into Action The NHS Confederation’s Health and Care Women Leaders Network is holding its annual conference on 1 November. The event will feature accomplished black women as keynote speakers. They will share insights into their career journeys while educating delegates on the challenges and triumphs faced by black women in their respective fields.
• Saluting our Sisters - Black Women in the NHS - A series of BHM events Hosted by Instinctive Inclusion and taking place 4–19 October 2023.
• North West Ambulance Service’ Race Equality Network and Women's Network collaboration event for Black History Month  5 October, 8.30-5pm.
• Royal College of Nursing South East's Black History Month event 18 October, 9.30-3pm.
• Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and North East and North Cumbria ICB Black History Month 'Saluting Our Sisters' Webinar 20 October 2-4pm
• Royal College of Nursing London Black History Month event 20 October, 9.30–4pm.
• Nottingham University Hospitals Black History Month conference 20 October, 8.30-5pm.
• Unison Black History Month event 20 October, 10.30am-6pm.
• Intergenerational Discussion – Black Female Professors & Black Students  A webinar hosted by the University of Bradford and open to all. Taking place 25 October, 1-3pm.

• Visit the official Black History Month website to find out what else is happening during the month.
• Race Equality Matters have shared a wealth of short videos on why the theme ‘Saluting our Sisters’ is so important. There is also a downloadable resource containing 78 ideas and insights for Black History Month activities. 
• Shattered Hopes - The NHS Confederation's report into black and minority ethnic leaders’ experiences of breaking the glass ceiling in the NHS. It shares reflections on the lived experience of senior black and minority ethnic leaders in the NHS.
• The NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO), which is hosted by the NHS Confederation and supported by NHS England and NHS Improvement, has been set up to investigate the impact of race and ethnicity on people’s health.