NHS staff recognised as part of NHS England Windrush Day Celebrations
On Thursday 17 June at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, Simon Stevens, and CEO of NHS England hosted an event celebrating the Windrush Generation and the migration contribution to the NHS.
Sam King one of the few survivors of the Windrush Ship in 1948 and former WW2 veteran was guest of honour. A Number of individuals’ current and former staff reflected their NHS journey covering the decades since 1948. This included a number of former Brent NHS staff from Nola Ishmael, former Nursing Officer for the Department of Health, Phil Sealy, health community activist and psychiatric nurse, Professor Elizabeth Aniwonwu, established the first Sickle and Thalassemia Centre in the UK to Dr Frank Chinegwundoh, Chair of Cancer Black Care. Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England gave closing remarks highlighting how black nurses have inspired her career.
Patrick Vernon OBE member of Healthwatch England and Equality Diversity Council chaired the event said: “It was a fantastic and uplifting occasion with over 200 people attending. It is important that recognition is given to the contribution of black and minority ethnic communities who contributed to the development of the NHS since1948. This event is part of a wider campaign in recognising Windrush Day as an annual celebration of the migrant contribution and the rise of multicultural Britain. It would be great for all public bodies work in partnership with the local community to celebrate this contribution covering the spectrum of public life, politics, faith, public services especially the NHS, business, music, food, fashion/lifestyle, sports and the arts in shaping the nature of multicultural Britain.”