Impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities: Challenges and solutions

I had the great opportunity of speaking at the #OneAfricaNetwork (OAN) live panel discussion webcast last night on the impact of COVID-19 on the BAME Community. What are the Challenges and Solutions.

Great insights were shared about the challenges and possible solutions from knowledgeable experts in different sectors.

I spoke on the fact that racism remains the foundation and golden thread running through the issues of inequality faced by the BAME Community.

“racism remains the foundation and golden thread running through the issues of inequality faced by the BAME Community. ”

In approaching the discussion from a solution focused angle, I highlighted the research on the impact of Covid-19 on all children and young people which is reported by the RCPCH in their research summaries report found here as being very low. BAME children and young people, comparatively have not been affected. I highlighted this as a strength for our community and challenged the community on safeguarding our children's health by modeling the behaviours that will enable future BAME to be healthier and supporting our children to pursue healthier lifestyles, including advocating equitable access to health and wellbeing services for BAME children.

I touched on three key themes as a focus for solutions.

1. Representation and Redesign of systems

   I spoke about the fact that the systems we live and work in are by design and the importance of representation of the BAME experience to facilitate the redesign of those systems. Basically, what we need is to be at the table. How we organise and mobilise ourselves on the issues that affect us as BAME communities will enable us to have a collective voice to impact the changes we require so that we can thrive at all levels of health, wellbeing, employment and enterprise. Taking part in strategy consultations about the issues that affect us and local services being considered by authorities.

2. Self Advocasy

   I urged the BAME community to begin to advocate for themselves and their communities if they have a seat at the table. To see themselves, not only as employees but also as users of services, citizens and community leaders. To find the BAME group's organising for change in their local community and volunteer. If they can't find any, to start groups that speak into their issues and raise awareness of the issues to the local Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Authorities. I also challenged the BAME community, not to wait to be approached by Authorities but to seek them out and engage at the grass roots level and have their voice heard.

3. Workforce Development

   I highlighted the organisational responsibility for developing workforce in health and social care, including the personal responsibility of recognising your own development needs as a professional, communicating those needs, negotiating and influencing for those needs to be met. The enablement of health and social care professionals to develop their #leadership potential and move into back- office and leadership roles remains a challenge in public service as reported by those with lived experience from the BAME community.

“Over 85% of health and social care staff remain in entry level roles for at least 10- 15years.”

Call to action

Which of the above solutions are you going to start implementing in your journey to being the solution for your BAME Community?

If you are an ally of the BAME Community, how are you going to take these insights into your allyship and facilitate and support the system changes required by the BAME Community?