She completed her haematology training at King’s College Hospital, where she was appointed Clinical Lecturer in Sickle Cell Disease in 2009 – 2013. During that time, she was awarded her PhD based on research into markers of severity and predictors of organ dysfunction in sickle cell disease, including non-invasive methods of investigating liver fibrosis.

In 2013, the British Society of Haematology awarded her the Early Stage Investigator Prize. She is the North Central London Haemoglobinopathy Network Lead and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at UCL. She is a Primary Investigator for the BELIEVE trial (Celgene) and a Subinvestigator for the La Jolla, RUDY, and IMR-687 studies at the Whittington Hospital.

It works through partnership, advising on inclusive research practice, and supporting community engagement.

BRAG members are community leaders in Greater Manchester:

– Circle Steele – CEO of Wai Yin Society

– Ehinor Otaigbe-Amedu – CEO of Wonderfully Made Woman

– Grace McCorkle – CEO of Collaborative Women

– Naheed Akhtar – Director of We Matter CIC

– Stephen Tony Wright – Managing Director of Socio-Economic Regeneration CIC

– Tikhala Chimpango – Director of Woman Arise

Established in 2019, the group was formed following the Community Sandpit event, a collaboration between Vocal and the Greater Manchester Black and Minority Ethnic Network.

For more information about BRAG, contact vocal@mft.nhs.uk.

Danielle, alongside Dietitian Harvir Purawal, plays a pivotal role in leading the Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Race Diversity Group. This group has been a significant pillar of support for AHPs of B.A.M.E background, offering a platform to discuss the developments across the Trust / AHP Professional Advisory Group (PAGs) in recent years.

The AHP Race Diversity Group has not only been a platform for discussion but has also made a tangible impact on various aspects of the Trust. It has influenced policies and interview questions and even fostered innovation, showcasing its effectiveness and relevance.

The AHP Race Diversity Group is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion, celebrating diversity, and promoting Allyship among all AHPs. It is equally committed to enhancing career opportunities for the Trust’s AHP B.A.M.E colleagues and sharing good practices that raise awareness of AHP diversity and improve the experience of B.A.M.E colleagues.

Educated Nurses in navigating the NHS system and making it easy for them to understand it. She created programs that improve the nurses’ journey and pastoral support.

Her passion and experience led the nurses to conquer their fear and anxiety, settling into a new environment, culture and language that they needed to adjust to. Mentoring them in their transition within clinical practice supported the new nurses in becoming safe practitioners and unlocking their potential for career progression.

Her vision has always been to elevate the profile of internationally educated nurses within the Trust, creating equal opportunities for them to access education services and upskill them.

Being named Educator of the Year in this prestigious award paved the way for her to be heard and seen by the stakeholders in making a difference in the lives of their nurses.

Kathy has always worked in the NHS, starting in an administrative role and then working in patient engagement and complaints before moving into the commissioning field.

She won her award for her role in setting up an innovative research programme into cancer outcomes in Luton.

Knowing that 25% of deaths in Luton are caused by cancer, Kathy worked with other local NHS leaders to establish the Luton Cancer Outcomes study alongside representatives from a cancer patient forum, the East of England cancer patient participation group, Prostate Cancer UK and other charity and voluntary sector partners.

The study asked Luton residents about their experiences of cancer diagnosis and treatment to help identify the main factors—medical, behavioural, and social, among others—contributing to variations in cancer outcomes. This led to recommendations for improving services for the six cancers with the highest rates of premature deaths in the town.

outreach service in their specially designed outreach ambulance across the London borough of Hounslow.

These health checks include cholesterol, sugar, and blood pressure checks, with the results sent directly to the patient’s G.P. surgeries. Using public health data, the ambulance conducts pop-up outreach clinics in areas of high deprivation and health inequality, especially targeting B.A.M.E. populations, which are recognised as having higher rates of cardiovascular disease.

In 2022, the Feltham and Bedfont PCN embarked on a transformative journey with their mobile clinic program.

Initially, the focus was on administering COVID-19 vaccinations, but the real impact was felt in the underserved B.A.M.E. patient demographics with the successful administration of nearly 3,000 vaccinations.

The program’s assessment revealed that crucial individuals from the B.A.M.E. community, who had low COVID-19 vaccination rates, were also less likely to access regular primary healthcare services. This underscores the importance of the PCN team’s work in bridging healthcare disparities.

The success of the mobile clinics was just the beginning. It laid the foundation for a more comprehensive healthcare service, Healthy Hounslow Community N.H.S. Health Check. This service, officially launched in April 2023, is a testament to the PCN team’s commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes.

Her passion for supporting B.A.M.E mental health blossomed from recognising the unique challenges individuals face within these communities. She has spearheaded initiatives within schools that provide tailored support to B.A.M.E students, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to navigate their emotional and academic landscapes successfully.

Her educational journey led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies, where she delved into research aimed at understanding and addressing the complexities of mental health treatment and diagnosis among BAME individuals. This research has served as a guiding light in shaping more inclusive and effective interventions that resonate with diverse cultural backgrounds.

She firmly believes in the transformative power of culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches in building trust and fostering understanding within B.A.M.E communities. Through her work, she strives to dismantle barriers and advocate for equitable access to mental health support for individuals from all walks of life.

Living in the UK, he had to focus more on Race Equality issues because of the Structural and Institutional Racism facing his client group.

Olalekan is the brainchild of Save The Woman, and the organisation’s exceptional work has been recognised, especially in promoting and enhancing the African community and families through Africentric intervention parenting education programs.

Many recognitions and awards have been bestowed on Save The Woman and its team members in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society. The feedback forms completed by the beneficiaries clearly show the difference this programme has made in the lives of families. Save The Woman is a member of the IDPAD Coalition UK.

Save The Woman is also working with universities to improve graduate employment outcomes, a new partnership offering 12-week project-based Master’s Degree Internships (Sept & Jan Cohorts). Save the Woman is passionate about advocacy and empowerment support, and the team is experienced in handling child protection and safeguarding matters.

He has worked in the NHS for 18 years, the last five spent with NHS England. Riyaz started working in the commercial team, focusing on travel and external conferencing spending. He also did a stretch assignment that improved the demographic data on the ESR system for NHSE/I. Riyaz also worked on the COVID-19 supply and demand team.

Riyaz is also the Co-Chair of the National NHS Muslim network and has been involved since its inception.

Halima Dagia (Associate CIPD), Co-Chair of the National NHS Muslim Network

Halima started her journey in the NHS 15 years ago. She began as a Medical Records Clerk and is now the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Manager at a London ICB.

She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and is CIPD-qualified. Halima has always had a passion for EDI and feels lucky to work in this profession.

Halima became a Co-Chair of the National NHS Muslim Network as she believes in her purpose of helping people and has a natural passion and drive for inclusion within the NHS.

Shohail Shaikh (Chartered FCIPD) (Pronounced So-hail), Co-Chair of the National NHS Muslim Network

Shohail is a passionate HR professional, specialising in Talent Management, Organisation Design, and Organisational Development. Shohail has over 18 years of experience within the healthcare sector, predominantly working in the NHS, and has international experience.

As a Talent Leader for over a decade, Shohail fully believes in the power of compassionate, inclusive, and collective leadership. He is the Head of OD and Talent at a major London Trust.

As Co-Chair of the National NHS Muslim Network, Shohail is driven by the importance of inclusion, diversity and fairness.

She also works supporting clinical staff in providing care to women attending preterm labour.

She is the Chair of the Society of African and Caribbean Midwives, a member of the Nursing Association of Jamaica, and a co-founder of the Caribbean Nursing and Midwives Association.

She also collaborates with other diaspora organisations.

She has been a Mary Seacole Scholar, a Darzi Fellow, a Nye Bevan graduate, and a Nurse Fellow in NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer team.

She became Deputy Chief Nurse at Epsom and St Helier Hospital before working at NHS South West London as a Director of Quality, supporting oversight and improvement at the system level to improve patient outcomes and experiences.

With extensive expertise in treating a wide range of obstetric and gynaecological disorders, including menorrhagia, pelvic pain, endometriosis, fibroids, and menopause, Professor Jaiyesimi is a trusted expert in his field.

His qualifications include master’s degrees in business administration and medical law. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal Society of Public Health.

As an accredited RCOG Medical Educator, he has significantly contributed to medical research and education.

Recognised for his innovative contributions to medicine, including developing the Electronic Mortality Review tool (MARS), Professor Jaiyesimi has received prestigious awards, including the Health Service Journal National Award for Innovative Development.

His commitment to excellence in medicine and his groundbreaking achievements have earned him the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award from The University of Ibadan in 2018.