This Black History Month we’ve held a series of thought-provoking webinars with our staff on subjects including healthcare inequalities in maternity care, and sickle cell disease. Colleagues have come together to share their stories, reflections, and discuss their ideas to make positive changes.

The healthcare inequalities session was led by Caoilin MacLaverty, a consultant obstetrician at our Trust who highlighted the importance of looking out for inequalities and having the confidence to speak up about what you see. She shared that black women are approximately four times more at risk of dying during pregnancy than white women, and emphasised the importance of advocating for and listening to the experiences of others so we can offer better support and help to make changes.

Speaking about the importance of raising awareness this Black History Month, Caoilin said: “Sharing stories and having discussions like this is so important. Even if it is painful, it is so important. It is one of the best ways we can encourage change.

“We should be able to trust our care givers, trust that they are going to be respectful, listen, and give us the care we deserve.”

Rachael Brown, who worked with us in haemoglobinopathy for over seven years, ran the discussion on sickle cell, and how we can better support children who are born with the disease. Racheal highlighted the need to raise more awareness of the impact the illness can have on children and their families, given that almost 300 babies are born in the UK with sickle cell each year.

She ended the discussion speaking about the importance of recognising all of our achievements, needs, and experiences. She said: “It’s really important we take time to value the work of our black colleagues, and appreciate the differences in our culture, diversity, where we’ve been and where we come from.

“It’s vital we celebrate all of our achievements so together we can achieve all that we want to be without limitations.”

As part of our Black History Month events, we’ve also had African and Caribbean inspired items on our canteen menus, and held a range of webinars, including a money and finance session with Pierre Ford, founder of finance company Bluestone Partners.