Black History Month

The Royal College of Nursing West Midlands held its 16th annual Black History Month conference in West Bromwich to inspire staff.  Delegates ranged from Matrons to nursing students and represented people of all backgrounds and cultures.  Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol, presented the keynote address entitled 'Breaking Down Barriers - Building Bridges'.  She spoke of her positive experiences shaping policy and improving services during her time as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of NHS bodies including an acute hospital, a mental health trust and a former District Health Authority.  8% of NHS trust board members are of minority ethnicity compared with only 4% in the South (excluding London).  Approximately 9% of the British population is from Black, Asian, Indian or Mixed backgrounds.