Ethnic diversity in healthtech: Actions to do more
"Any diversity we see in healthtech is despite the system not because of it." Hassan Chaudhury, Department of International Trade
The panel explored key issues including the need for diverse senior leadership teams and boards for improved health outcomes and looked at how effective measures have been to push leaders to engage, champion and support underrepresented groups.
The discussion identified what steps should be taken to tackle existing biases and how we can do more to include and elevate the voices of those from ethnic minority backgrounds. Visible leadership helps build an inclusive culture—decision-making that is diverse needs to come from the top to be most impactful.
Hearing from a range of experiences, the group didn’t shy away from speaking about the bullying and harassment that exists in the industry toward BAME people and looked at ways to create a safe space. Having open forums and giving people the opportunity to speak about their experiences is key to combatting the silence from people who don’t want to or don’t feel like they can speak up. People-powered groups are another way of listening, hearing and engaging people in their own words and in the context that suits them.
The group also highlighted key diversity initiatives such as One HealthTech and the creation of The Shuri Network.
The panel included:
- Patricia Hughes, Divisional Nurse Director, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and member of The Shuri Network
- Shane Tickell, Strategic Advisor, IMS Maxims, and Vice Chair of the techUK Health and Social Care Council
- Wendy Marshall, Director for New Business, Cerner UK, and member of the techUK Health and Social Care Council
- Kay Ollivierre, Patient, Public and Professional Involvement Lead, Imperial College Health Partners and member of the AHSN Network National Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Group
- Hassan Chaudhury, Digital Health Lead at Healthcare UK, Department of International Trade
- Nimmi Patel, Policy Manager – Skills, Talent & Diversity, techUK (Moderator)
You can watch the full webinar below:
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
Leontina Postelnicu
Leontina joined techUK in March 2020, where she is now heading up the organisation’s Health and Social Care programme. At the moment, she is also completing an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London.