Black History Month is a time to honour the leadership and lasting impact of black pioneers in healthcare, whose resilience and contributions continue to shape a more inclusive NHS today.
How Black History Month began
Black History Month is every October, and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987 by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who came to the UK from Ghana as a refugee. He had been inspired by Carter G Woodson, who had begun the event in the USA and wanted to challenge racism and celebrate black heritage and culture.
2025’s theme
This year’s theme, ‘Power and Pride’, is a tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the black community across the world. The theme highlights contributions made by past and current leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped the world around them, and looks forward to a future of growth.
In particular, the NHS and British healthcare have been shaped by the pioneering work of black nurses and doctors, who remain at the forefront of growth today.
Origins of the NHS
The NHS was founded in 1948 in effort to address major health inequalities and manage poor health and disease, during a time of post-war recovery. Following the war, England was left with a depleted workforce and widespread labour shortages.
To combat this, from 1948 to 1969 the government launched a massive recruitment drive for workers abroad, and thousands from the Caribbean arrived in the UK to help establish our National Health Service and support other public services – now known as the Windrush Generation. Many faced daily and systemic racism but persevered to become leaders. This history has become a crucial part of the UK’s social fabric and was integral to the founding of our healthcare service, which BAME staff remain at the centre of today.
Spotlight stories
Daphne Steele was part of the Windrush Generation and became the first black NHS matron in 1964. Originally from Guyana, Daphne came to the UK in 1951.
She became Matron of St Winifred’s Nursing Home in West Yorkshire at 36, receiving more than 350 letters of congratulations from around the world – a landmark moment in NHS history. Daphne oversaw hundreds of births and personally delivered many babies, while running the 14-bed maternity home. After St Winifred’s closed, Daphne became a health visitor in Leeds, becoming a trusted presence to local families. Daphne was later formally recognised with achievements, receiving an award from the Guyanese High Commission in 2001, and in 2002 she carried the Queen’s Jubilee baton, representing her community in Shipley.
There have been many other notable figures who have since been at the forefront of change. Dame Elizabeth Anionwu was the first sickle cell nurse specialist in the UK, focusing on a disease that affects predominantly people of African and African-Caribbean origin. Beginning work as a nurse at 16, she faced many challenges due to her ethnicity but worked hard to challenge health inequalities and in 1979 created the UK’s first nurse-led Sickle & Thalassemia Counselling Centre in Brent, which has now become a model for over 30 centres across the country! Elizabeth has been formally recognised for her services to nursing, being honoured with the Order of Merit in 2022 and a Damehood in 2017.
Representation in healthcare today
In 2023, nearly 42% of NHS doctors came from BAME backgrounds, along with 29.2% of nurses, midwives, and health visitors. However, when it comes to leadership, representation is low. In 2025, 1 in 8 senior managers (12.7%) were from minority backgrounds, and while a slight improvement from previous years, this shows there’s still work to do to make sure leadership reflects the diversity of the workforce. This gap highlights the need for ongoing efforts to support fair career progression, leadership opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture.
Why is diversity a strength in healthcare?
There are many reasons why we should advocate for a diverse workforce in healthcare, as it can build cultural awareness, which is key to understanding and meeting the needs of different communities. When healthcare teams reflect a variety of backgrounds, they’re better equipped to support patients, especially in areas like maternal care, mental health, and other chronic conditions that often affect minority groups more than others.
For underserved communities, being cared for by professionals who have a similar background can make a difference. It helps build trust in the healthcare system and encourages people to engage with their treatment plans, leading to better health outcomes.
Moving forward
While progress has been made over the years, healthcare professionals still regularly experience racism. The 2023/24 National Staff Survey showed that in 82% of NHS trusts, more BAME employees than white staff employees experienced harassment or abuse from patients, relatives or the public.
This result shows that there’s still a long way to go to creating an inclusive and respectful working environment for everyone, and why there is a need to celebrate Black History Month and the achievements of BAME healthcare professionals.
