Publish date: 22 June 2022
The NHS has depended on the talents of its diverse workforce since its inception in 1948, the same year the passengers of HMT Empire Windrush passengers disembarked at the Port of Tilbury on 22 June. Many of the passengers came to work for the NHS and are part of NHS history.
Today, the NHS is the most diverse employer in Europe – 20.7% of the NHS workforce is from a black, asian or minority ethnic background which represents over 200 nationalities. Staff descended from this generation can be found in posts across the NHS from doctors to nurses, allied health professionals, domestic staff, catering and porters.
West London NHS Trust wishes to mark this day to recognise the sacrifices that were made and celebrate the contribution of our staff past and present who are from the Windrush generation or of Caribbean lineage.
Venus Madden, Chair of the Race Equality Network (REN).
“It is so important we celebrate and acknowledge our Windrush generation, to honour the British Caribbean community at our Trust and across the NHS. This generation is the bed rock of the NHS and we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us”.
The West London NHS Trust Race Equality Network (REN)
The West London Race Equality Network aims to develop a culture where staff from all ethnic backgrounds feel included and can bring their authentic self to work. It encourages the celebration of diversity within our staff workforce and provides a platform for staff to ask questions and discuss matters that are relevant to them and see what the Trust is doing. It also provides a safe space for staff where individual differences will be valued and welcomed with curiosity.