Following the scenes of civil disorder across the UK, our Chair, Professor Patrick Vernon OBE, shares his thoughts, as well as his vision for a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Like many of us, the civil disorder and thuggery from the far-right and its sympathisers of the last few weeks has left me shaken.
Firstly, it’s important to say that in my role as Chair of Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, I recognise and welcome the work of the police in trying to keep our communities safe as well as the Government’s efforts to work quickly to prosecute those involved in violence. It is right that those involved in these riots face the full judgement of the law. I also want to make clear that Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board stands against and condemns all forms of racism, anti-blackness and religious hatred, including Islamophobia.
Are these acts shocking? Without a shadow of a doubt. But underneath all of that, I’m not sure I can honestly claim to be surprised. My parents came to the UK in the 1950s from Jamaica and I was born in Wolverhampton when Enoch Powell was an MP and the National Front was active. I, like many others, have been fighting for the value of a diverse, inclusive, tolerant and equal society for years.
From the Windrush scandal to the way marginalised communities have been targeted in some sections of the media and of course the impact of unregulated and unchecked social media. The conditions for racism, islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, encouraged by the far-right, are there for everyone to see.
But I believe there is cause for hope. For optimism. And for a renewed mandate for us to support the development of more equal and respectful communities.
Firstly, we must reflect on the breathtaking response of communities around the country taking part in counter-protests. Its clear from those that there are more people willing to fight for an equal and inclusive society than those fighting against it.
I’m also reminded of the duty placed upon all public sector organisations in the 2010 Equality Act to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities. Every public sector organisation should regularly challenge its board on the delivery of these duties. Failure to do so risks anchor organisations, like my own, missing crucial opportunities for positive change.
In December 2022 we pledged, with partners right across the system, to support making Birmingham the first anti-racist city in the UK and to be proactive in tackling the roots of systemic racism and not just the symptoms. We stand by and renew that commitment and will meet again with the Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG) later this year to revisit all 17 of the promises we made.
We must now look to repair the damage done by these riots. Not just for the communities we serve but for the staff within our health and care system.
I believe that health and care organisations can play a critical part in the recovery in our communities following the terrible events of recent weeks. We now have an opportunity to work with our communities to repair the damage done and to move forward beyond it to build better and more inclusive societies. Miss this chance, and we will find our credibility and trust amongst those we serve significantly diminished.
Lastly, we must remember how critical migration and diverse communities are to health and care delivery in this country. I personally know how important the Windrush generation were in the foundation of the NHS, one of many diverse groups instrumental in building the institution we love and we can only provide the breadth services we do today because of the contribution of staff who have chosen the UK as their home.
It's right and proper that we condemn the race riots of recent weeks. Far right ideology and religious hatred, including Islamophobia are abhorrent and have no place in our community. But our greatest power lies in our greatest strengths – our community and diversity - and in what we do next.
Professor Patrick Vernon OBE
Chair
NHS Birmingham and Solihull