Leeds primary care BAME network
The first ever primary care BAME network for Leeds has officially launched and we want you to join us as we work towards creating a fairer society for all. This network is part of our local efforts to put primary care at the centre of making a sustainable contribution to tackle health inequalities.
Why do we need a primary care network?
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought health and racial inequalities into even sharper focus than before. This is an issue that was highlighted in Public Health England’s report Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups. The review found that the death rates due to COVID-19 were higher for those from certain BAME groups. Particularly those from Bangladeshi backgrounds who were discovered to be twice at risk of death when comparing them to non BAME counterparts.
Our network launched shortly after the death of George Floyd which has refocused people’s attentions on the continuing issues of racial inequalities affecting people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Please also read the Snowy White Peaks of the NHS report written in 2014. And its key points still stand today as our boardrooms and governing bodies fail to reflect the wider diversity of our communities. And finally consider how you can support our current workforce, recruit, retain and develop BAME talent and how you can develop culturally sensitive services.
Meeting dates
Our meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month. At the time of writing (July 2020) all meetings are through Microsoft Teams, our aim is to move to face-to-face meetings once it is safe to do so. Meetings take place from 6.30-8pm, please register your interest by emailing [email protected]. Please see our meeting calendar and get the dates in your diaries!
Official launch and thank you
We’re grateful for the support we have been given by a number of colleagues and allies and want to extend our thanks to Jim Barwick, Chief Executive for the Leeds GP Confederation, Thea Stein, Chief Executive for Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Tim Ryley, Chief Executive for NHS Leeds CCG. We were delighted that Dr Nikki Kanani, Medical Director for NHS England, joined us on 7 July 2020 to officially launch the Leeds primary care BAME network.
Join the network
We’d like to welcome BAME colleagues and our allies to join the Leeds primary care network, please email [email protected]