Writing the BME experience

Amplifying voices, Mending divides A new anthology of stories and reflections looks to address race inequalities in the NHS

The LTHT BME Staff Network is collating a new anthology of stories that will epitomise the lived experience of BME staff and perspectives from non-BME colleagues across LTHT. The anthology comes at a pertinent time in the wake of COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd, two tragic events that have highlighted that all voices need to be heard and acted upon in order to successfully address current race disparities.

Ester Jamera, Co-Chair of the BME Staff Network and Oncology Outpatients Sister, explains what the anthology sets out to achieve:

The idea for the anthology came about because there is a richness in people’s stories that I believe can help us to progress the race equality agenda across all levels of our organisation.

“The UK’s population demographic is in sharp contrast with the composition of the NHS workforce, which reveals the reliance of the NHS on overseas and BME staff. Approximately 20% of the NHS workforce is BME. This is considerably higher than the UK’s 13% BME population according to the 2011 census. Management and senior leadership in the NHS is overwhelmingly non-BME.

Unfortunately, this means the disproportionate experience of BME staff is not well understood by those in positions of power. “I have been honoured to hear the inequalities and struggles our BME colleagues are coping with on a daily basis. I have also had life-changing conversations with my non-BME colleagues. The idea for the anthology came about because there is a richness in people’s stories that I believe can help us to progress the race equality agenda across all levels of our organisation. This new anthology will aim to bring BME and non-BME staff to a mutual understanding and stir all of us to action to build genuine supportive relationships with each other to make LTHT the best place to work for all staff and for all our patients to receive care. “The Network recently posted a call-out for contributors for the book from both BME and non-BME colleagues to reflect the broad impact and array of experiences of race and racism that COVID-19 and George Floyd’s death has brought to light. The finished collection will act both as a snapshot of a historical moment and a valuable resource for colleagues now and for future generations. I hope you will join me in looking forward to reading and engaging with the wealth of perspectives this new anthology will showcase.”

An excerpt from the anthology: “Talking of cultural differences, we tend to have high respect for our seniors and elders. In the workplace this hinders us from raising issues of discontent against our colleagues and managers. We are generally not reporters. We even blame ourselves or accept less hoping someone in power would soon realise from our hard work and quiet disposition and think differently about us. Instead we are assumed to be stupid, to have no voice, no brains and no feelings. At the same time, we continue to hope that good will eventually prevail. Again, unfortunately, it does not. It seems there is no compassion for BME staff. By the time the situation becomes unbearable for us, and we let it out, the injustices would have accumulated so much. We are in turn blamed for not reporting the matter early enough. It is a no-win situation with our culture”.