Black History Month: health workers making history now

In the last two years, thousands of Black UNISON health workers risked their lives to save others, despite the statistical reality that they themselves were at higher risk of dying from COVID-19. In the NHS only 1.3% of staff in the most senior bands are Black and the majority of Black staff in the NHS are in non-medical roles. UNISON heard from Black members on what there is to celebrate, and what needs to change. ‘I can count on one hand over the course of my career how many Black matrons I’ve met’ Yasma Osman is a 62-year old nurse based in Manchester who has over 45 years experience in the NHS: “Pre-COVID, I was doing bank shifts in cardiac and coronary care, but since COVID-19 hit, it’s been too high risk for me to be on the shop floor so I’ve moved into a training role. I train nurses in vaccinations, life support, cannulation and phlebotomy. “I also volunteer for a Muslim charity that runs a local food bank, and am a volunteer for British Scouting Overseas. Two weeks a year I go and volunteer in Somaliland too. I’m a mother of 6 and a grandmother of 9.” Yasma takes pride in the work that she does but is haunted by the impact of the pandemic on Black nurses: “I love this job, I love patient management, and I know I’m good at it. I feel motivated to do the best for my patients, and when I go in on a night shift and patients are uncomfortable, it’s my goal to make sure by morning they’re better. “But the pandemic has been really tough. It has ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article Black history month race for equality Source Type: news