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NEW: Like rebuilding Britain in 1948, the battle against #COVID19 has seen a generation of Black migrants asked to help. But after their experiences of racism, would they? I spoke to some Windrush nurses, most retired, about govt's call to rejoin the NHS. http://huffp.st/Jxw8MR6
Covid-19 outbreak is the biggest challenge for the world since WWII, UN Secretary General António Guterres warned last wk. For many, the UK govt’s call to action is reminiscent of 1948, when people from former British colonies came to the UK to rebuild the country after the war.
In 2020, the term 'Windrush' has been etched into public consciousness because of the scandal of 2017. Cases included that of Iciline Brown, a former nurse who had her UK passport taken away. https://leamingtonobserver.co.uk/news/former-nurse-whose-husband-helped-build-coventry-cathedral-following-blitz-says-windrush-scandal-tore-her-life-apart-12292/
EXCL: In 1967, Joanne left Jamaica for the UK and trained as a nurse. In 2018, the 61-year-old was told by govt that she was here illegally. Joanne's currently off sick with anxiety, depression - among other things - and has vowed not to re-enter the NHS. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/windrush-nurses-nhs-coronavirus_uk_5e8351a4c5b603fbdf49ddf5?utm_hp_ref=uk-news
However, health issues aside, it isn’t the experience of being affected by the Windrush scandal that put Joanne off answering the govt’s call to fight against #Covid19 – it’s the racism she experienced within the NHS itself.
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: RCN)
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: RCN)
“I was treated differently compared to my white counterparts, as most of the senior staff were white,” Joanne said. “Throughout my life other people would talk about racism & I never ever came across it. That changed when I became a nurse." https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/windrush-nurses-nhs-coronavirus_uk_5e8351a4c5b603fbdf49ddf5?utm_hp_ref=uk-news
Judy came to the UK by ship from Trinidad in 1968 with the sole intention of becoming a nurse, and qualified two years later. She said: “If I was under 70 and not in the ‘at risk’ category, I would return to help people. That’s what nursing is about[...]." https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/windrush-nurses-nhs-coronavirus_uk_5e8351a4c5b603fbdf49ddf5?utm_hp_ref=uk-news
![Judy came to the UK by ship from Trinidad in 1968 with the sole intention of becoming a nurse, and qualified two years later. She said: “If I was under 70 and not in the ‘at risk’ category, I would return to help people. That’s what nursing is about[...]." https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/windrush-nurses-nhs-coronavirus_uk_5e8351a4c5b603fbdf49ddf5?utm_hp_ref=uk-news](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVE_OENU8AImk-O.jpg "Judy came to the UK by ship from Trinidad in 1968 with the sole intention of becoming a nurse, and qualified two years later. She said: “If I was under 70 and not in the ‘at risk’ category, I would return to help people. That’s what nursing is about[...].\" https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/windrush-nurses-nhs-coronavirus_uk_5e8351a4c5b603fbdf49ddf5?utm_hp_ref=uk-news")
Retired midwife Allyson Williams MBE said: “Once a nurse, always a nurse. You have that inherent desire to care for people, look after them, do no harm and make them better". https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/windrush-nurses-nhs-coronavirus_uk_5e8351a4c5b603fbdf49ddf5?utm_hp_ref=uk-news
As the 72nd anniversary of Windrush – and the NHS – approaches, Jamaican nurse Alina summarised the feelings of many: “In terms of Black nurses [...], there’s still a lack of recognition and the visibility to expose us as being part of the solution.” http://huffp.st/Jxw8MR6
![As the 72nd anniversary of Windrush – and the NHS – approaches, Jamaican nurse Alina summarised the feelings of many: “In terms of Black nurses [...], there’s still a lack of recognition and the visibility to expose us as being part of the solution.” http://huffp.st/Jxw8MR6](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVFnAaJUwAMwykN.jpg "As the 72nd anniversary of Windrush – and the NHS – approaches, Jamaican nurse Alina summarised the feelings of many: “In terms of Black nurses [...], there’s still a lack of recognition and the visibility to expose us as being part of the solution.” http://huffp.st/Jxw8MR6")
