The Midlife Nurse

September brings reflection, celebration and new opportunities to strengthen inclusion at my NHS trust, where we are all encouraged to recognise East Asian & South Asian Heritage Month.

It’s seen as a time to honour the histories, cultures, achievements and contributions of communities across East Asia and South Asia.

There are huge numbers of international nurses recruited yearly from South East Asia and beyond to work within the NHS and whilst the number of recruits are falling, the sustainable programme still continues as recruitment remains necessary for the service to meet increasing patient demand.

Diversity is important for growth, as is recognising cultural differences and we are fortunate in our developed world, that we are able to adapt and share our values and perspectives with others in order to promote growth.

Some attitudes remain blinkered but that may be because of negative experiences or, just plain ignorance.

Our younger generations are more accepting of diversity than the 60+ year old generation; the way change occurs and its impact will remain a fascination for me.

I grew up in a mixed English/Asian home. It was just plain embarrassing to be honest, brought up catholic, traditional roast every Sunday, and curry eaten with roti and hands at every other meal. But now? I’m desperate to discover my lost heritage and in the process identify the true origin of me.

Until I am able to do this, as my parents died over 30 years ago having imparted very little information to me, I shall embrace the culture that I observe around me everyday. Be that at work or socially, because different, is so very interesting.