International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination: working towards a more culturally sensitive workplace

To mark International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination, some of the recent participants in the Culturally Sensitive Support in Multicultural Healthcare Teams share their thoughts on their experience of the programme and their thoughts on  how we can all play  a role in eliminating racial discrimination across Health and Social Care in Dumfries and Galloway. 

We’re very grateful to Emma, Aurelia, Katie and Anthea for sharing their thoughts and to all those who have participated in the programme, which has been offered to four cohorts by external consultant Gillian Neish.  100% of participants have said they would recommend the course to colleagues:

‘This training is really essential and I hope it can be made available or extended to everyone’  

‘Very effective session, important for moving forward in tackling racism and discrimination’

‘Helpful to learn about mitigating racism, facilitated in a way that kept us all open and honest’

The learning and conversations that the programme facilitates are part of ongoing work within the HSCP to open up dialogue about how we can all play a role in the Elimination of Racial Discrimination within the workplace and wider society.

Lynsey Fitzpatrick and Kerry Riddell, E&D Team, NHS Dumfries and Galloway

‘The biggest point that stood out for me during this programme was seeing and hearing the pain from colleagues who have experienced racial discrimination by both patients – and unbelievably – staff members. It left me feeling saddened and outraged that here in Dumfries and Galloway this happens more regularly than we know about. The session made me go away and think about what I am willing to know about and not do anything about – very little after this. It has given me more confidence challenging discrimination overall and thinking about my own beliefs and power imbalances overall – even if not intentional’

Emma Reid, Advanced Practice Physiotherapist

‘The course has been an eye opener and has opened conversation in a safe space,where participants were able to express their views and learn more about what is happening in members working lives.’

Aurelia Kungu, Staff Nurse

‘I recently attended the Mentoring Across Difference workshop provided by the Health Board because eliminating racial discrimination in the workplace is important to me, but I sometimes feel awkward discussing race and racism. What did I take away from the workshop? That individually we have more in common than our differences, but the systemic and cultural differences between working and living in the UK versus elsewhere can put our new starts on the back foot when it comes to getting on and getting ahead in their career.’

Katie Percival, Clinical Teaching Fellow

‘Enlightening, engaging and interesting.’

Anthea Banks, Executive Assistant

Participants in Cohort Two consider actions that can be taken to implement a more culturally sensitive workplace

If you would like to become an Ally to the D&G HSCP Ethnic Minority Network, please get in touch at dg.ethnicminoritynetwork@nhs.scot. 

International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day, the Dumfries & Galloway HSCP Women’s Network reached out to members to ask them what the day means to them.  We’re delighted to share reflections on from four members: Anthea Banks, Elise Tamburrini, Claire Thirlwall and Marsali Caig and are very grateful to them for their contributions.

The Women’s Network provides opportunities for women working within the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership to connect, support each other, improve wellbeing and knowledge and be part of a collective voice for positive change.  If you’d like to join the Network, get in touch at dg.womensnetwork@nhs.scot

Sonia Cherian, D&G HSCP Women’s Network Chair

International Women’s Day provides me with the knowledge and understanding that I am included, supported and valued.  We are all different, we have all different life experiences and can learn and support each other through the tough times and relish the good times together.

Anthea Banks, Executive Assistant, Nurse Director

International Women’s Day holds immense significance for me as it serves as a poignant reminder to celebrate and honor the invaluable contributions of women throughout history and in our daily lives. It is a day to recognizes the resilience, strength, and achievements of women across the globe.

Women’s Day is not just about acknowledging the progress made, but also about reflecting on the challenges that persist and committing to fostering a more equitable and inclusive future. It is a call to empower and support the women in our lives, ensuring they have equal opportunities to thrive in all aspects of society. Personally, Women’s Day inspires me to champion gender equality, challenge stereotypes and actively contribute to creating a world where every woman’s potential is recognised and celebrated

Elise Tamburrini, Delivery Agent, Learning & Development

We are all different. That’s the joy of being human. But when those differences are made all the harder by inequality, bias and prejudice, we need to work together to challenge and overcome them.

Women, right across the world, are hit hard by the double whammy of prejudice and inequality. I think of the girls and women in Afghanistan who are forbidden an education. A campaigning lawyer called Sara Ahmad tells stories of women being abducted and held in slavery by the Taliban – 26 women to a cell. Child marriages there have skyrocketed, in part because of the economic collapse of the country, and girls become a valuable commodity when there are mouths to feed.

Closer to home, we know that women have been hit hardest by the cost of living crisis. Going without to be able to put food on the table or turn on the heating. There will be women who are too embarrassed to tell their stories about how difficult life in 21^st century Britain is for them.

Gender equality has a long way to go. But we can advocate, campaign and work collectively to influence change. It’s up to all of us to speak up and support how we can be a more gender equal society. How we can build support networks for women, regardless of where they are and what they do.

Women helping women is a powerful force for change. Female allyship feels empowering and safe. But men helping women is vital. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had some amazing men in my life, starting with my lovely dad, who’ve shown me that being a woman is a gift. On this International Women’s Day, I want to shout out to all the people who believe in gender equality and seek to do something about it, through small actions or grand gestures. If we work together, it can only get better.

Marsali Caig, NHS Dumfries & Galloway Board Vice Chair

Everyone benefits from gender equality. It helps prevent violence against women, is good for the economy, and makes our communities safer and healthier. However, throughout most of history women generally have had fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men. These include the gender pay gap, sexual harassment, an unequal share of parenting duties and difficulty finding opportunities for career progression.

International Womens Day …. is a day to celebrate and recognise the contribution by the many women throughout history who have helped advance gender inequalities, to promote and drive forward change but also to reflect and remember!

Most importantly,  an opportunity to  appreciate and celebrate the everyday efforts that women make to society and the workplace but also to  say thank you to those who over the years have provided support, a listening ear or simply an act of kindness. 

Claire Thirlwall, ​Project Manager – Working Well Staff Support Projects

With so many fantastic women doing amazing things  – how will you show your appreciation today?