North West BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) Assembly: a strategic advisory group to tackle inequalities

The disproportionate effect of the COVID pandemic on ethnic minorities shone a light on the many demographic, geographical, and socioeconomic factors which. contribute to health inequalities.

The North West Regional Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Assembly was set up in July 2020 as a strategic advisory group for senior NHS leaders from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to shape an agenda for long-term structural change.

The Assembly’s brief is to make a measurable, significant, and sustainable step change in tackling racism, discrimination and health inequalities.

The Assembly supports senior leadership teams in the tackling of racism and discrimination by amplifying the voices of the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, implementation of policy and practice to challenge the status quo, and inspire people to think more deeply about longstanding, deep rooted inequalities in healthcare and society, and to be a critical friend to NHS organisations in the North West.

The Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Assembly co-chaired by Louise Shepherd CBE, Regional Director, and Evelyn Asante Mensah OBE, Independent Co-chair.

Taking an inclusive approach

The Assembly brings together over 70 Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic senior NHS leaders in the region, including trust Chief Executives, Board Chairs, and non-executive directors. A deliberately inclusive approach was taken to include all willing voices in the conversation so people could influence and support each other across the system. We believe we can bring about real improvements by working with our NHS colleagues as our allies to improve knowledge of the issues that our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic colleagues face not just in the NHS, but society in general.

Preparing to make a difference

The Assembly has produced an antiracism framework for NHS organisations, which outlines strategies, processes, policies, and actions to reduce racial inequality within their workforce and services.

This framework supports broader equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives within the NHS such the EDI Improvement Plan, EDS 2022, WRES, Model Employer Standard, and the Long-Term Workforce Plan.

To date, 30 Trusts in the North West have committed to the framework with most achieving Bronze status, and some actively working towards Silver status.

The three ICBs – Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria, and Cheshire and Mersey are implementing the framework, as well as the NHS England North West region.

The antiracism framework can be found here

For more information, please contact us at england.nwbame_assembly@nhs.net