Good news about bad health

The NHS BME Network which launched in June this year attracted significant attention at the recent annual conference - State of Black Britain Symposium.

The Equality and Diversity Council (EDC), a sub-committee of the NHS Management Board, has developed an Equality Delivery System (EDS) to drive up equality performance and embed equality into the mainstream of NHS business.  

The Equality Delivery System is designed to help deliver on the requirements of the Equality Act and after the necessary endorsements and consultations it will be launched in November, and formally introduced from April 2011.

But the only trouble with this regulatory, body as it stands, is that it doesn’t properly reflect the people it is supposed to represent says Dr Vivienne Lyfar-Cisse co-founder of the NHS BME Network.

Dr  Lyfar-Cisse explained that the network was set up to undertake health and medical research work to ensure better health outcomes for BME communities using the National Health Service (NHS ).

The NHS BME Network states that it will be an independent national voice for BME people to ensure the NHS starts to deliver on its Race Equality Duty.

Dr Lyfar-Cisse said:” In several medical surveys and general reports it has been established and verified that BME people suffer an overall worse health than non BME’s - in terms of illnesses such as sickle cell anaemia”.  She also stated that not enough was being done in terms of research and treatment for those suffering from illnesses common to BME groups.

 She explained that BME’s were also underrepresented in leader roles within the NHS and over represented when it comes to grievances, bullying and harassment, the major reason for this being racism.

 “NHS BME Network consists of people who represent BME communities and who will ensure real change and equality. It will serve as an authentic voice and watchdog for Government health initiatives”, she concluded.

NHS BME Network: www.nhsbmenetwork.org.uk

By Regina Nyametscher