Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff network event – one year on

Date:
Members of the BAME network with CE Rob Webster

Dr Habib Naqvi, NHS England’s deputy workforce race equality policy lead, was a guest speaker at a special BAME staff network celebration event on Thursday 28 September.

The event held at Fieldhead Hospital, attended by staff from all over the Trust, was an opportunity to highlight the network’s achievements 12 months after its inception.

Speaking at the event, Dr Habib Naqvi recalled the words of the NHS Constitution to highlight how everyone is different and has unique needs and where adjustments sometimes need to be made.

The BAME staff network was set up in response to a need to engage in different ways with staff from minority ethnic groups. Since September 2016, almost 100 people have come together to become a strong voice for BAME colleagues and put diversity high on the trust’s agenda.

The network is now represented at extended executive management team (EMT) meetings to ensure that views of BAME staff are heard at a senior level. Members of the network are also working with recruitment colleagues to ensure that our workforce is as diverse as the communities we serve. BAME staff are currently attending a leadership development programme which is being run in partnership with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Mubashshir Fazlee, chair of the BAME staff network, said: “The network is a vehicle to help the Trust show that diversity is our strength. We’re looking to expand our offering by setting up a group of BAME staff network champions across the Trust. It’s your network, and you need to get involved to shape it.”.

Get in touch with Mubashshir by emailing BAMEStaff.network@swyt.nhs.uk  if you’re a staff member or volunteer and want to find out more or if you want to join the network.

 

Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff network event – one year on

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