14 minute read
A SENSE OF HISTORY?
BY LINDA BELLOS
There has been a bit of a wrangle about who started Black History MonthintheUK,withmeonthe oneside(Ishallexplainlater)and a worker in the Ethnic minority Unit of theGreaterLondonCouncil.Whatisclear is that all people were agreed that last year was the 30th Anniversary of the event in the UK. Which means that the first event was in 1987 and that the GLC was abolished one year earlier and the successor body of the cutting-edge part oftheGLCwascalledtheLondonStrategic Police Unit. I was the Chair of that body which authorised Black History month in October that year and which many Labour Controlled Councils took up in the following years.In my view it does not really mater whose idea it was (but it wasnot mine)what doesmatteriswas is seeks to achieve each year.A large number of dubious events have taken placeinthenameofBHMbywell-meaning but ignorant teacherswhohaveallowed isolated Black children to be bullied and abusedbecausetheyareBlack.Butmainly there have been some excellent celebrationsofourhistoryintheUKover the lastThree to Four Hundred years. What there is not is an acceptance of thepositivecontributionofBlackmen and women to British society and worse still any acceptance of that contribution and if occasionally names of Sportsmen andwomenormusiciansarementioned they tend not to be written into the historyofBritainandaresoonforgotten. I wish to urge that we revisit the word Black and make it the political word it meant back in the 1980’s when it those of us working in solidarity with each other- both Africa (including Caribbean) and Asian peoples so that a racist Britain could be play the the usual game of‘Divide and rule’.Otherwise I wishtoseethoseofusofAfricanheritage identify ourselves as African thereby referring toaplaceorplaceswithhistory and heritage.
BlackHistoryMonthorAfricanHistory Month should have a small committee todecidethethemeforeachyear,andthe allocation of small grants throughout the UK.Governments within the UK couldprovidemodestbutrealisticfunding for the Committee to allocate and oversee.But what is more important than bureaucracy and accountability is thereflectionsofthepositivecontribution Black peoples have made in the development of Britain. I used to think that it was sufficient tohavecreatedaprogrammeorexhibition of Black people who have achieved something significant within their field, but unless those people areWhite and Upper Class they are likely to be written out of history until they and their peers are long dead so that the story what is told may be slanted or manipulated. NowasIlookbackonthehistoryofBlack history month I see a similar pattern evolvingtothatwhichIsaywhenlooking atWomens’history in the UK.That is a history largely of the doings of Upper middle-classWhite women,and now even that that generation are all dead. Who will collect the recordings and manuscripts of the Pastors,Trades Unionists,Communityactivistsofthelast 70yearsandmakesenseof thecontents in terms of their social class as well as the colour and their fights for justice and equality?These are my thoughts when I consider who much our younger generation do not know.But as I speak to others like me nearing or in their 70’s and 80’s I am heartened that our grandchildren have a sense of history and will,I hope,be proud to be Black.
I wish to see those of us of African heritage identify ourselves as African thereby referring to a place or places with history and heritage.
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working with our multi-ethnic local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. We have a comprehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. with our multi-ethnic local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. We have a com-In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working with our multi-ethnic prehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working with our multi-ethnic local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. We have a comprehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion.strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. We have a com-prehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), leads on training, research, forging ties with community worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), leads on training, research, forging ties with community groups, providing advice and guidance, celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our groups, providing ad-vice and guidance, leads on training, research, forging ties with community groups, providing ad-www.equalityhub.org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion. In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion. celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website www.equalityhub. org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ. vice and guidance, celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website www.equalityhub.org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ. www.bsuh.nhs.uk and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ. www.bsuh.nhs.uk Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), leads on training, research, forging ties with community groups, providing advice and guidance, celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website www.equalityhub.org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, www.bsuh.nhs.ukBrighton BN2 5JJ. www.bsuh.nhs.uk
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working with our multi-ethnic local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. We have a com-ONE NIGHT AT THE PALACE Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working prehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. Album by Joy Sigaud with our multi-ethnic local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. We have a comprehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust has a long history of working with our multi-ethnic local population to deliver accessible, fair care for all. We have a comA female composer of Jamaican mixed heritage, her works are performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, choirs and notable In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our prehensive interpreting and translation service, a full range of support services and have classical singers. Her music fuses Western thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion.strong ties with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations and community groups. classical with the drums of her African worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), leads on training, research, forging ties with community groups, providing advice and guidance, celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much In the 70th year marking Windrush and the formation of the NHS, we are honoured to give thanks and recognition to our staff from around the world, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to care for patients and support our work. BSUH NHS Trust is represented heritage and the offbeats so synonymous with the Caribbean. TRACKS: Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website by people with heritage in over 70 different countries; they work side by side and uphold our 1. Peoples - A stirring, people on the move leads on training, research, forging ties with community groups, providing ad-www.equalityhub.org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion. 2. Belle - The Contemplation - Do I go, what lies ahead? vice and guidance, celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website www.equalityhub.org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ. www.bsuh.nhs.uk and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ. www.bsuh.nhs.uk Our Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, headed by Barbara (Babs) Harris (left), leads on training, research, forging ties with community groups, providing advice and guidance, celebrating the diversity of staff and patients and much more. You can contact us at Equality@bsuh.nhs.uk or through our website www.equalityhub.org or write to us at the Department of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, BSUH NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hall, Main Building, Eastern Road, 3. The Lagoon - A place in Africa where the journey started 300 years ago 4. Bluefields - A place in Jamaica that was home for 300 years 5. Les Danseurs - Joy at the prospect of a new life 7. London Rhapsody - A great place, at times lonely even hostile but filled with hope.Brighton BN2 5JJ.
www.bsuh.nhs.uk
Caribbean Women and the NHS
The NHS was established in post-war England to tackle the major social and economic problems of the day, including ill-health and disease. Following the destruction caused by the SecondWorldWar and labour shortages in England,itwascriticallyimportantforhospitals to recruit staff from the Caribbean to work in the new NHS.In response to recruitment drivesintheCaribbean,manypeopleresponded and arrived in this country to help the NHS establish itself. Aneurin Bevan,the post-War Labour MinisterofHealth,believedthatsocietyshould collectively contribute,through a National Insurance scheme,to provide free health care for all.In July 1948 the National Health Service Act was born,heralding the birth of theWelfare State. Until then,only the well-off and those in work were catered for.The National Health Service(NHS)wouldaddresstheinequalities that left vast number of Britons suffering through lack of money to pay for healthcare. ThegovernmentbecamecaretakerofBritain’s 2,688 hospitals in England andWales. Resourcing this venture was problematic fromtheoutset.Thecostofadministeringthe service,researchingnewcuresandmaintenance of hospital buildings was far greater than the government had first thought.But the most taxing concern of all was the chronic shortage of nurses.Britain found itself with anewexpandinghealthservicewhichitwas unable to staff. WhywereBritishpeopleunwillingtotrain asnurses?In thewakeof thepost-Warboom, men were reluctant to work long hours,in poor conditions,for low pay.Single women, with their newfound freedom,were being more selective about their career choices, optingforoccupationssuchassecretariesand journalists.In the 1950s and early 1960s married women’s place was still considered to be in the home.
Recruitment
The authorities embarked on a two-pronged plan torelieve theshortfall.Oneschemewas anaggressivenationalcampaign,withcentral government fundedexhibitions,lecturesand gimmickstoattractrecruitsintheregionsfrom London to Liverpool.The campaign was not especiallysuccessful.TheTottenhamHospital Management Board reported that‘such energeticcampaigningdeservesbetterresults’, when,forexample,therewerejust17enquiries for 737 vacancies.Out of this number,only two potential students and one qualified nurse came forward. The other scheme was devised by the MinistriesofHealthandLabourinconjunction withtheColonialOffice,theGeneralNursing Council(GNC)andtheRoyalCollegeofNursing. From1949,advertisementswereplacedinthe Nursing Press encouraging candidates from thecolonies tocome toBritain toapplyfor work as auxiliaries and trainee nurses.The advertisements featured interviews with nurses,whoconfirmedthatacrossthelength andbreadthoftheUnitedKingdom‘jobscould be found easily’. Recruitmentcampaignswereextensively andenergeticallypursuedwithseniorBritish nurses visiting commonwealth countries for thispurpose.Localselectioncommitteeswere set up in 16 British colonies.Trainee nurses weredrawnfromallovertheworld,including Ireland,Malaysia and Mauritius,but at this time,the majority were recruited from the CaribbeanIslands.Colonialwomeninterested in training as nurses came from diverse educationalandeconomicbackgrounds.From 1955,the British government had devised variousschemestoassistwithfarestoBritain, but many recruits ended up funding their ownjourneyinwhateverwaytheycould.One said:‘Mymotherborrowedthemoneyandsent meuphere.IhadtopayitbackwhenIbegan to work’.Another said:‘A friend sponsored me,the bank paid my fares...it wasn’t free.’ The great majority,however,had high expectations from their period of training in Britain.They imagined they would train for three years and,after a further two years gainingvitalworkexperience,theywouldthen returntohelptheNursingcorpintheirvarious islands.At thesametimetheyfelt theywould be relieving Britain’s staffing problems. These expectations mirrored the plans negotiatedbetweentheGNC,ColonialOffice andColonialGovernors,thatCaribbeanwomen, trained to the highest level in Britain,would return to take up responsible nursing posts. In the 1950s and 1960s,such posts were almost exclusively held by expatriate staff (British women). Generalhospitalsand teachinghospitals werealreadyrelativelywellstaffed,but there were major shortages in hospitals caring for the chronically sick,disabled and the elderly. Post-wartraumahadalsogreatlyincreasedthe numbers of people admitted to psychiatric hospitals.It was in these hospitals that the great majority of young Caribbean women foundthemselvesplacedasresident trainees.
The Training
Until 1986,there was a two-tier system of nursingtraining:staffandpupil.The‘Staff’or State Registered Nurse (SRN) qualification includedtraininginwardmanagement, while the‘Pupil’orStateEnrolledNurse(SEN) qualificationconcentratedon theclinical
Caribbean Women and the NHS
BY LINDA ALI
side of nursing. Most Caribbeans,like other Black nurses, wereplacedon the two-yearSENcourse.Due toracialdiscriminationfewwereacceptedon theSRNcoursedespitepossessingtherequisite qualifications.One recruit recalls:‘This (difference)wasn’texplainedtous.Iwassent toapsychiatrichospitalinCheshire,whenIreally wantedtodogeneralnursing’.Likemostothers, herambitionwastoworkingeneralhospitals. After their two year basic training,most of thewomenfound theycouldnot get onto thehigherlevelcourse,andcertainly‘couldn’t getpromotedatall’.Yetmanyacceptednight duties,to enable them to fit in with family commitments,andfoundtheywere‘whollyin charge’.Asonenurseremembers:‘Wehadto getonwithallthedrugs,thedrips,whatever treatment...but our pay remained the same.’ OncetheyarrivedinBritain,youngrecruits were dispersed to their appointed hospitals allovertheUnitedKingdom.Someweremet at thetrainstation,butmanyhadtofindtheir ownway,dressedmoreforthesunshinethey hadleftbehindthanthecoldandgrayweather and bracing winds they now encountered. The new trainees lived in the Nurses’ Homesattachedtothehospitals,andworked alongside other Colonial trainees.They providedanimportantsupportnetworkforeach other,asmanyfeltisolatedandfarawayfrom home.‘Whenanyonenewcameandbrought food,thegirlsgot together,sittingonthefloor, [or]anywherelikeabigfamily.Wewouldeat whatever,dividing it up between all of us’. At that time,therewerefewBlackpeople in Britain,particularly in smaller towns.As a result,many nurses moved to large centres likeLondon,Birmingham,LiverpoolandBristol, with existing African,Asian and Caribbean populations.
After Training
Many Caribbean women who had come to Britain did not return home afterwards,as they had intended to do.They all held British passports,a requisite until 1962,when they weregrantedleavetoremainhereindefinitely. But why did they stay?There were a variety of reasons. Somefeltunabletoreturntotheirislands. The Enrolled Nurse (SEN) qualification was not recognized in the Caribbean,and they would not qualify for the senior posts.Most remained in Britain,however,because,at somepointintheircareer,theybecamewives and mothers and found themselves settled with a family in England. Experienceswerevaried.Caribbeannurses werewellrespectedbythepatientstheycared forbut therewerealsoexamplesofabuseand accusations.Overall they gained a great deal of knowledge and satisfaction from looking after sick people,often in specialities which theindigenouspopulationrefusedtooccupy.
Caribbean nurses made a choice to come to Britain,and made a choice to remain here, butallagreethat:‘WecontributedtotheNHS. We have built the NHS because we were committedtoourworkandournursingcareers.’ Anonymous quotations are taken from interviews conducted by Linda Ali with Caribbean nurses for her thesis,West Indian Nurses and the National Health Service in Britain 1950-1968.
St Andrew’s is a charity which provides specialist mental healthcare for people with complex mental health needs
