OUR PARENTS, siblings and other relatives often influence the direction of our work, and the Edwards family are no exception. Brianna, Calvin, Gerrie, Samara and Rhishana are committed to providing better health and experiences for patients – as members of the NHS workforce. An organisation of more than 1.3 million employees, who come from diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures.

WHY I CHOOSE THE NHS

Paediatric Critical Care Nurse, Brianna explains; “Working for the NHS is an honour – people don’t have to worry about not being able to afford or receive healthcare. “I absolutely love my job, I love the team I work with, the children I help, and every day is different. I never stop learning new things and my knowledge is tested every day.

Nursing can be incredibly hard, but so rewarding and special. Being part of an amazing team and helping to save children’s lives and support their families through tough times is a privilege.” As a proud NHS employee for over 36 years Gerrie explains, “Patients remain at the heart of my work… I am still here, with so much to be thankful for.

I became a Ward Sister at the age of 25, having qualified just 4 years earlier. I am now a Matron and one of my biggest highlights was completing a valuable course aimed at creating leaders for the future. “I introduce actions to change the ways we work and hear the voices of staff from diverse backgrounds. I thought I was ready to finish my career, but I feel inspired to stay and dedicate more time to address change, help to create opportunities and support others to grow and flourish.”

MANAGING PERSONAL RISKS TO SAFETY DURING THE PANDEMIC

Data shows that during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, before the life-saving vaccine was available, deaths from COVID-19 were disproportionately higher among people of Black and Asian heritage. The Edwards family, like many of their colleagues continued working during the pandemic whilst knowing the risks. Senior nurse, Calvin, credits his Christian beliefs and life values helped him during the pandemic.

“I continued as a front-line healthcare worker, even though being a black male aged over 50 put me at high risk. I was able to recognise the risks and how to protect myself, as well as educate colleagues on wearing the right protective equipment and maintaining best practice.”

Brianna, qualified as a nurse in 2020, says “I quickly learned being a nurse is an ever-evolving role. I went from being a third-year student nurse on the cusp of qualifying, to suddenly joining the nursing workforce to support the NHS through the pandemic. Leaving the security and familiarity of being a student nurse abruptly and early indications that BAME individuals were more vulnerable to COVID, made the experience challenging. Support from my family and friends was crucial.”

Rhishana joined the NHS during the pandemic as a Senior HR Assistant in Recruitment. “It was a scary time for many people, particularly given the increasing awareness of health disparities. I overcame them with safeguards in place at work, including risk assessments, ensuring there was appropriate equipment and social distancing. Colleagues showed respect and kindness, recognising the importance of keeping each other safe and checking in on me. I met most of them virtually and thought wearing masks would make building relationships more difficult, but everyone made an effort and welcomed me.”

THINKING OF STARTING A CAREER IN THE NHS?

Brianna has honest advice for anyone worried about how fragile life is. “It never gets easier to lose a patient; especially a child, but finding the strength to come back to work and carry-on giving care to other children made me realise I have what it takes to be a nurse. “Also, the pride and happiness I feel every time one of our children goes home or leaves our unit.

It truly makes all of the difficult moments worth it when we see the result of everyone’s hard work and dedication pay off.” With more than 350 different roles available, second year student nurse Samara, also has advice for anyone looking to join the NHS. “Find the right job position that you will be passionate about.”

Gerrie agrees and advises you to get the support you need too. “This is close to my heart as we are a family of NHS workers in different roles. My youngest daughter is about to start her second year as a student nurse and my advice to her and anyone joining the NHS is to find networks that can support you and get actively involved. People will stand with you and support you during difficult conversations and situations, so don’t be afraid to speak up.” Samara has heeded that advice, acting as a BAME representative for the Nursing and Midwifery Society at University, where she helped and supported other healthcare students from ethnic minority groups.

WHAT BLACK HISTORY MONTH MEANS TO ME?

For Calvin, “It highlights the struggles our forefathers/mothers put aside themselves, to

selflessly make a difference in other people’s lives. Samara agrees, “It’s a time to celebrate and take pride in black people’s achievements. It is a time to reflect on what is possible and it makes me very hopeful for my own career.”

If the Edwards have inspired you to join them and thousands of others who work for the NHS, you can find out more at: healthcareers.nhs.uk

ADDRESSING HEALTHCARE INEQUALITIES TO IMPROVE HEALTH

Dr Bola Owolabi is a Midlands GP and the Director of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme. She gives an update on the work of NHS England to improve health outcomes:

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on existing healthcare inequalities, especially around the disproportionate impact on people from Black and minority ethnic groups. We’ve also seen the impact of lower incomes on health outcomes too. We need to tackle vaccine inequalities and make sure that everyone has access to advice and vaccine choice, but we also need to use this opportunity to tackle other areas of inequality, to improve health overall. We have learned from our experience of working with communities during the pandemic and have built this into the way the NHS works to reduce healthcare inequalities. We need to work together with communities to improve health outcomes, ensure equitable access to our services and that people have an excellent experience.

The NHS is currently focusing on 5 focus clinical areas to deliver accelerated improvement.

 • Maternity: ensuring continuity of care for women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and from the most deprived groups.

• Severe mental illness (SMI): ensuring annual health checks for 60% of those living with SMI (bringing SMI in line with the success seen in learning disabilities).

• Chronic respiratory disease: a clear focus on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) driving up uptake of COVID, flu and pneumonia vaccines to reduce infective exacerbations and emergency hospital admissions due to those exacerbations.

• Early cancer diagnosis: 75% of cases diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028.

• Hypertension case-finding and optimal management and lipid optimal management: to allow for interventions to optimise blood pressure and minimise the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

For advice and information about the COVID-19 vaccination, please visit nhs.uk, scan the QR code or contact a healthcare professional working with the Caribbean and African Health Network COVID helpline on 0771 002 2382.