The need for action on race and inequalities across our North West health system is clear.  We know that health and racism are inextricably linked. Racism and discrimination are deeply ingrained in the social, political, and economic fabric of our society and have a harmful impact on individuals and communities of colour. As leaders we have a responsibility to address structural racism and the deep seated inequalities that cause inequalities in health. As a system and within our own organisations we must make addressing racism and inequalities a key priority.

As co-chair and a member of the NHS North West Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Assembly our role is to provide visible leadership, expertise and offer constructive support and challenge with a focus on developing practical solutions to removing bias from systems and processes and tackle the underlying causes of racial inequalities in health and workforce outcomes. Our vision is to see a significant and sustained change within the NHS, based on what really matters to our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues and communities, tackling inequalities and taking positive action on racism. Our ambition is for the NHS in the North West to be Anti-Racist and at the forefront of challenging and tackling racism and the health inequalities faced and experienced by people in our communities, brought into stark relief by the pandemic.

Evelyn Asante-Mensah
Chair
BAME Assembly
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust​

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As co-chair of the North West Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Assembly, I am committed to tackling the health inequalities and differential impacts that mean that people with protected characteristics often have a lower life expectancy.  This is particularly the case for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.  I am keen to break down the barriers whether those be culture, awareness, education or structural racism to ensure that everyone in the North West received the highest quality of care for the best possible outcome.   

The need to establish the Assembly was borne out of the COVID pandemic and I want to ensure that the reach and impact of bringing together the senior leaders for the region is felt for years to come.

NHS England has recently published the EDI Workforce Improvement Plan for the NHS which included 6 High Impact Actions required by NHS organisations.  Whilst much of it is not new and many will already be implementing similar measures locally it is helpful for us all to test ourselves against the high impact changes which will encourage us to move together and give added scale and momentum to our efforts. The changes are simple to understand and have been developed with staff networks nationally. I am committed to implementation of these actions in NHS England and working with colleagues locally to support them in their pledges and commitments to become truly Anti-Racist.

Richard Barker CBE
Co-Chair
BAME Assembly
Regional Director (North West)