Celebrating Black History Month 2023

Since the beginning of 2023, Non Executive Director Irene Afful has been working closely with the hospital to push forward community and health equality. Here she talks about her role, and the importance of women from ethnic minorities having a voice:

I have worked in the public sector for the majority of my career, mainly in policing. One of my ambitions was to develop my skills as a non-executive director in public services. I was particularly keen to join the NHS, particularly in relation to bringing my skills and experience in public sector working and particularly in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion as I was aware of issues within the health sector in this regard and I wanted to give something back, using my skills and experience to support the NHS. I was particularly drawn to The Walton Centre because family members and friends had received amazing treatment at the hospital, and I wanted to support the hospital in advancing quality of care, patient outcomes and addressing inequalities in access to services, as well as enhancing the experience of diverse staff.

Women from ethnic minority groups are a minority within a minority and can be overlooked in diversity initiatives. Focusing on Black women is particularly close to my heart as I belong to this group and our voice can often go unheard. Having an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Black women and focusing on their achievements is so important and gives us a voice. It also recognises the unique challenges of intersectionality.

It has been an honour to be able to contribute my skills and experience to enhancing the governance at The Walton Centre, to improve outcomes for patients and staff. In essence, to be able to give something back. Some of the challenges I have faced have been to understand the structure of NHS systems and governance arrangements. It has been a bit of a baptism of fire, but I absolutely love my role. I think some of the achievements have been in terms of community engagement and connecting the hospital with community groups which often can be overlooked when developing engagement initiatives. Liverpool Citizens is a fantastic opportunity to enhance this. I’m learning and developing every day and hope I am making a positive contribution.

I would say it is a fantastic opportunity to use your skills and unique experience to give something back. It is hard work and quite demanding in terms of time commitment and understanding the world of the NHS, but it is so rewarding and well worth the investment.

Take action! The time for just talking is over. Policies and processes have their place, but it is behaviour that underpins these. When issues arise, tackle them head on. We all have a responsibility to eliminate racism and leaders have the power to really drive change. It should be reflected in leadership behaviours on a daily basis. Support those staff who are brave enough to raise issues and ensure the culture is truly inclusive. 

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Research Nurse Sikhangezile Gwatikunda reflects on moving to the UK, and being a nurse in the NHS:

"I have been reading about the evolution of nurse education in Namibia for a couple of years now as part of my studies, and I must say this theme resonates with the struggles that the pioneer nurse educators went through to gain recognition and be permitted to provide formal training to those who wanted to be nurses. There had been scepticism and doubt as to whether they could make a professional nurse out of a school leaver. Today many African nurses have left the African soil to work in different continents and spaces and they are of course as professional as any nurse could be.  

The main challenge I have had is in communicating with colleagues and patients. I do have the advantage of having a good English language background, but communication is more than putting together words and phrases. I have had to learn to be more polite (though I was not aware before that I was coming across as impolite). It is still a challenge as all my life I have been more direct than is probably comfortable for some. I have learnt to keep the ‘whys’ to a minimum and to adjust the non-verbal cues accordingly. Other than that, my role is fantastic, and I enjoy what I am doing. I started off as a Band 5 and managed to move a band up within a year.

When you have recently moved to this country, as a nurse, then the NHS is a place to be. Inclusivity is not only promoted but it is LIVED. I want to exercise a little caution here and point out that I speak of The Walton Centre as I have no experience of the NHS elsewhere. You will be supported in your role, and you will not feel isolated.

I have noticed that micro-aggression might not be picked up easily by our leaders and it is always not easy to report all cases. I know it is safe to report, but at times one just pushes it aside because of just not having the time and energy. What I would suggest is that if the managers do sense or notice some of this, they turn the situations into ‘teachable moments.’ At times equity is just not well-understood."  

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Dr Shahd Hamid is one of our Consultant Neurologists here at The Walton Centre. As part of Black History Month, Dr Hamid talks about her journey and what led her to neurology:

“I'm thrilled to share the incredible journey that has led me to The Walton Centre! As a black Muslim Arab woman who migrated in pursuit of my dreams, I've overcome numerous obstacles to reach where I am today. 

“From a young age, I aspired to become a neurologist, researcher, educator, and a leader in the field. Leaving my family behind was undoubtedly difficult, but I was determined to find my own path and create a better future for myself and those who share similar aspirations. 

“I'm grateful for the warm embrace and supportive environment I found at The Walton Centre. Here, I've been fortunate to work alongside helpful colleagues and mentors who have profoundly shaped my growth and achievements. With their guidance, I've accepted every challenge with optimism and perseverance, never losing sight of my ultimate goal. 

“Now, as I stand on the brink of realizing my dreams, I feel inspired to pay it forward. My mission is to assist and empower others embarking upon the same path, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Together, we can break barriers and create a more diverse and inclusive medical community. 

“Join me in celebrating the power of resilience, representation, and the pursuit of excellence. Together, let's make a difference and inspire the next generation to reach for the stars!”