The Cornish Health Community have re-launched a new BME NHS Staff Support Network. The MEG is no more, and has been replaced by a BME NHS Staff Network that have not yet given themselves a name..

The PCT through a consultation process with BME staff members last year November 2008 agreed that a staff network would be very helpful. The PCT has recently commissioned Unity Cornwall to facilitate these staff sessions.

It is hoped that by creating staff networks across the health community will allow people to gain further support to tackle the issues that relate to race equality in the NHS in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Unity hope to help build a sustainable BME staff network that will flourish. It is also hoped that the Health Community will start to take positive action to help give BME staff a level playing field and start to look at initiatives such as shawdowing, mentoring and coaching, which will help to ensure that BME staff acquire the competencies and confidence they need in order to compete for senior positions within the NHS organisations. Another initiative called 'Breaking Through' programme is specifically designed for BME staff who aspire to achieve senior roles. For further information look at the following this weblink.

Through these networks staff can start to build bridges with all NHS organisations and other statutory/voluntary agencies, which just doesn't exist at this time. It is also a platform for staff from black,asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to create an environment to enable them to freely express their thoughts, ideas and concerns in the strictist confidence using 'Chatham House Rules'. I hope you will join me in congratulating Ann James, Chief Executive of the NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly for her foresight in getting this initiative off the ground. I would also like to mention that other NHS organisation (e.g. Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Cornwall Partnership Trust, SW Ambulance Service) have already come on board to support the process of engaging with BME staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those staff members who participated in the first staff network initiative (MEG) all those years ago and again hope that those members will once again consider becoming a member of the new staff support network.

Victor Downer, MEG's ex-Chair

If you have any further queries, please contact me or Kate Milton, Senior Equality & Diversity Manager, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (PCT) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it