Blog Listing

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) is deeply intertwined with the history and culture of various regions in Africa, particularly West Africa, where its initial descriptions bore cultural and spiritual significance.

One of the best things about my role is speaking to staff. Since becoming Interim Chair, I’ve tried to meet as many staff as possible. Not only is it a critical part of the role, but it’s also one of the parts of the job I enjoy most. And so, while talking to a member of staff from Birmingham and Solihull ICS, they took the opportunity to ask me ‘‘What does Windrush mean for the NHS?

First Do No Harm, the independent review of the safety of medicines and medical devices led by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, found that patients’ voices were ignored, and that the health system did not listen and act, but was defensive, dismissive, and disjointed. As the first ever Patient Safety Commissioner I have been listening to patients and patient safety experts to understand what needs to improve.

I came to the UK when my family moved from Kenya in 1968. It was a time when racism was overt in society, with signage in windows of flats to let openly stating “no blacks” and racial attacks such as “paki-bashing” were commonplace.

General interventions and medications such as hydroxyurea, morphine and blood transfusions were hit and miss, usually giving relief for a period but the sickling would return with vengeance.

The Nationality and Borders Bill stands to leave thousands in limbo by focusing on how they arrived in the UK, rather than their need for help.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us. Millions across the country have acquired or been diagnosed with the infection, with thousands suffering its debilitating medium and long-term effects.

In recent times, there has been greater awareness of Black History Month. Dr Chuks Nwuba, a speciality doctor in eating disorders, argues that this should be leveraged to improve the mental health stigma endemic in the Black community.

COVID-19 has painfully exposed the devastating impact inequalities in our society can have. With the benefit of hindsight, we cannot afford to leave our ethnic minorities communities behind this winter. Dr Halima Begum, CEO of the Runnymede Trust, on the case for door-to-door vaccination units.