'I looked for support from my seniors and didn't get it' Great Western Hospital nurse on shocking racial slur from colleague
As Greatest Hits Radio's coverage of Black History Month continues, we have spoken to a Swindon nurse who was racially abused at work.
Last updated 16th Nov 2020
A nurse in our region has told Greatest Hits Radio that she has received a shocking racial slur from a colleague in the workplace.
As part of our Black History Month coverage, we spoke to the victim Alicia Messiah - based at Great Western Hospital (GWH) in Swindon.
She claims that she was not supported by the Trust's bosses when reporting the incident.
'We need to see more of our seniors supporting black professionals'
Alicia said: "I looked for support from my seniors and I didn't get it.
"This person felt that it was okay and laughable to say this word - and it wasn't.
"We need to see more of our seniors supporting black professionals within the hospital".
Despite her experience taking place a few years ago, she claims that the Hospital's support for fellow BAME workers who are racially discriminated is still insufficient today.
"We need to look at everybody to make sure that they've (black staff members) got the support to speak out about any racism ... to have their voices and concerns heard".
'There is a certain white hierarchy within the hospital'
As well as her main role, Alicia runs the Hospital's Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network.
This has involved working alongside the Trust's Board and Human Resources, to create more opportunities for BAME employees in leadership positions.
She claims that black workers are struggling to access higher 'bands' of employment:
"There is a certain white hierarchy within the hospital. They're aware of that, I'm aware of that and other staff are aware of that.
"People feel that if they are a certain race, why should they go for a post?"
As an example, Alicia told us that some GWH BAME employees lose out to white applicants for promotions, despite the former having up to 10 times more experience.
She has now urged the Trust to have more diverse interview panels, as well as investigating what she calls "unconscious bias" from white interviewers and managers.
'People of colour experience overt and covert discrimination'
Alicia was invited to share her experiences of racism with the Trust's board.
She has described Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Chief Executive, Kevin McNamara, as "very supportive" and "very encouraging" around embracing inclusion.
He said: "Alicia’s story was powerful and moving and a reminder that in many walks of life, people of colour experience overt and covert discrimination which we all have a personal duty to tackle.
"The best way for us to make positive changes is to learn from lived experience".
The Trust says that a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead has been appointed, to ensure that the workforce "represents the population" it serves.
Great Western Hospital is marking Black History Month with a virtual 'Diversity Day'.