By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland Hills Hospital will be commemorating Black History Month by flying the Black Lives Matter flag throughout the month of February
The move is a first for the hospital, fulfilling one of many recommendations from its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. It has the unanimous endorsement of the Senior Leadership Team.
This is one of several activities planned at NHH during the month to advance internal conversations, awareness and understanding about systemic Black racism and its harmful impact on the experience of providers, patients and caregivers throughout the broader health-care system.
The EDIAC is co-ordinating a variety of activities (including written material, training opportunities, lunch-and-learn sessions, and a speaker-led talk by Dr. Roberta Timothy) for staff, physicians, midwives and volunteers to explore timely issues related to Black racism while, at the same time, increasing awareness about the contributions made by Black people to the field of modern medicine.
President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh said in the announcement that NHH's new Shared Purpose is People First.
“To honour this bold statement, we must acknowledge that racism, including Black racism, still exists in everyday life, including the health-care sector,” Walsh said.
“It's critical to recognize the harmful impact that discrimination has on patients, care givers and health-care providers alike who are marginalized by racism. Dismantling complex racial barriers is very much a work in progress, even in Canada. Flying the Black Lives Matter flag is one of many small steps that NHH is taking to reinforce the point that, like many organizations, we still have work to do before we can say we are truly equitable and inclusive,” Walsh stated.
“We are committed to listening, learning and advocating for the delivery of safe, equitable care for all, and we are grateful to be part of a community that stands united in its commitment to continue working for equity for all.”
