In October, we celebrate Black History Month (BHM), dedicated to honouring the contributions of Black individuals to society. It’s a time to reflect on the invaluable impact of individuals in the NHS and at Gateshead Health.
To mark the occasion, we are sharing staff profiles from individuals of Black Heritage who make Gateshead Health a great place to work through their hard work and dedication to ensuring top patient care is our top priority.
Chisom Olisa, Registered nurse on Ward 25:
I joined the trust on a sponsorship in January 2022. On Ward 25 I met lovely people willing to work as a team and a manager who is always ready to listen and is always eager to support me. On my ward we have other international recruits like me, I give them lots of support and encouragement helping them to settle into the routines of the ward as well as integrate themselves as part of the team.
The Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network at Gateshead Health is an integral part of our organisation, dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among the workforce, for it serves as a platform for networking, sharing experiences, and addressing issues relevant to staff. Black History Month is a time of reverence, homage, and celebration.
Adaeze Obiayo, Deputy sister on Ward 12:
“In addition to my nursing responsibilities, which involve providing high-quality patient care, I also serve as a Staff Governor, Professional Nurse Advocate, and an active member of the GEM staff network.
Our GEM network holds personal and professional significance for me. As a member, it provides a platform to advocate for diversity and equality within the trust, ensuring that the voices of the ethnic majority of staff are heard.
Black History Month should not just be a celebration of the past but a call to action for the future. It’s a reminder that while progress has been made, much must be done to ensure true equality in our workplaces and society.”
Oluwabunmi Rodiyat Musa, Nurse midwife:
I am a registered Nurse-Midwife, I have had the privilege of working across different departments for over 20 years, both in Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. I currently work in theatres as an anaesthetic and recovery room nurse and I love it.
Black History Month is important to celebrate diversity, appreciate inclusion, and achieve equity. To me, the Global Ethnic Majority Network means identifying the diversity in the workplace, ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging, feels heard and treated equally
Nicole Tshuma, Tissue viability specialist:
“I have worked at Gateshead Health since 2005, I did my Nurse Training at Northumbria University, worked on a surgical ward, critical care and now a tissue viability specialist. I work in the hospital and community offering specialist advice in wound management, pressure damage prevention and management.
This month is important to me as this an opportunity to promote and celebrate what Black people have achieved and to highlight exactly what Black history is in general.
Gateshead Health is a safe space for me, I can be myself, express myself how I want without being judged.
Maria Alberts, Staff Side chair:
I have worked in the trust for 28 years firstly working in mental health for two and half years. I was then a sewing consultant and looked after 17 units. I then worked in partnership with my union, Unison where I brought a lot of funding into the organisation. My current role is staff side chair and branch secretary of Unison.
It is very important I got our Trust to be the first in the North East to sign the race equality charter and this enabled the trust to get SRTRC (Show Racism the Red Card) into the organisation for three months to educate managers, supervisors and staff on racism and inequality’s and to encourage staff to learn about other cultures.
It’s all about making a differences from the different nationalities that we have in the organisation and changing people’s mindsets as we live in a multi-diverse country and looking after our patients in our care and the way they would like to be treated.
Diana Kaniki, Health Care Assistant:
“My name is Diana, my role includes observing, monitoring, and recording patients’ conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respiration, and weight. I assist with clinical duties, personal care including infection prevention and control, food, personal hygiene, and overall reassurance, comfort and safety. I currently work at different departments as a health care assistant within Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
I believe Black History Month is utilised as a vehicle to remind people to show gratitude to not only black people but even to shine a light on others who face prejudice. Black History Month should be used to remind people to completely oppose the persecution of others: workers, strangers or co-workers – nobody should be a victim of this”
Gateshead Health encourages diversity and inclusion and we are proud of our diverse workforce who are making such an impact.