{"id":55,"date":"2026-03-03T15:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:32:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:32:56","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/","title":{"rendered":"BME Staff Network"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1520px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:50px;padding-bottom:50px;min-height:700px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6{background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/b5.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:50% 15%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.54;background:linear-gradient(24deg, #400000 34%, #ffffff 52%);mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px), only screen and (min-device-width: 1024px) and (max-device-width: 1366px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (hover: none){.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6{background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/b5.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:33% 5%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.55;background:linear-gradient(37deg, #400000 38%, #ffffff 65%);mix-blend-mode:multiply;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/b5.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:47% 20%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;min-height:400px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background:#cf2e2e;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_2b79da-c6 alignfull has-standard-black-background-color kt-row-has-bg fullstretch wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-gradient\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_b1d531-3c, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_b1d531-3c:not(.specificity){margin-right:0px;margin-left:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_b1d531-3c inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-97902dbe\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-816a1f5b\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-816a1f5b\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1150px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:30px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background-color:#323031;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b ,.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;min-height:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;opacity:0.75;background:#323031;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_9d53b3-9b alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_b4c305-6b, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_b4c305-6b:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_b4c305-6b inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-a3702cf4 gb-headline-text\">BME Staff Network (Black &amp; Minority Ethnic)<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-8c8dedd7 gb-headline-text\">Membership of the BME Network is primarily aimed at NHS Lothian employees from Black or Minority Ethnic backgrounds; however it is also open to any staff interested in helping to improve inclusion in NHS Lothian.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-7f5acd1d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7f5acd1d\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1150px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:30px;padding-right:50px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background-color:#323031;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:30px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;min-height:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;opacity:0.00;background:#400000;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_c543f1-19 alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_208923-8c{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_208923-8c{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_208923-8c{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_208923-8c{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_208923-8c{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_208923-8c{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_208923-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_208923-8c, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_208923-8c:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_208923-8c inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"height:260px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"height:260px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"height:300px\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><sup><sub><strong>NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS<\/strong><\/sub><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading colourtextbold\">BME Staff Network<br>(Black &amp; Minority Ethnic)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>NHS Lothian embraces the rich diversity found in all areas of the health board. This reflects a growing diversity in the population we serve.&nbsp; We are committed to eliminating discrimination and improving equality of opportunity; we know we have more work to do, and this is reflected in Corporate Objectives and associated workplans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The values in NHS Lothian include Care, Compassion, Dignity and Respect and these emphasise how we treat both our patients and our staff.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"476\" height=\"197\" src=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/networklogo2.png\" alt=\"BME Staff Network logo\" class=\"wp-image-630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/networklogo2.png 476w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/networklogo2-300x124.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does BME mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) is the terminology normally used in the UK to describe people who are not from the majority white population. It can include people of&nbsp;African, Caribbean, Asian, Arab, First Nations\/Indigenous (Australia\/North and South America), or mixed descent, but also white minority ethnic groups such as Eastern Europeans and Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-e79a657b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column supplementary is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next Wider Group Meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The next wider group meeting and further meeting dates for 2026 will be announced in as soon as possible after the network survey closes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Future wider group meetings:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>TBC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/staffmember.jpg\" alt=\"Young female in blue uniform\" class=\"wp-image-618 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/staffmember.jpg 600w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/10\/staffmember-188x300.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NHS Lothian Transatlantic Slavery Recommendations Implementation Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Members of NHS Lothian BME Staff Network are invited to express an interest in being one of the co-chairs of NHS Lothian Transatlantic Slavery Recommendations Implementation Group. We are also recruiting for members of the Implementation Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NHS Lothian and NHS Lothian Charity are joint descendants of the legacies of donations and endowments connected to the enslavement of people of African descent. The NHS Lothian Board has agreed to implement the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https:\/\/org.nhslothian.scot\/aboutus\/atlantic-slavery-and-the-royal-infirmary-of-edinburgh\/&amp;data=05%7c02%7cRachel.Hallows%40nhs.scot%7c16d269481368462d3b6508dca7e41a28%7c10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7c0%7c0%7c638569845330843619%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c0%7c%7c%7c&amp;sdata=od\/5hOueqDwsE3bkRz%2BO1uKlRw92cJZZNwUwD71jYqI%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Independent Advisory Group&#8217;s recommendations<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https:\/\/org.nhslothian.scot\/aboutus\/atlantic-slavery-and-the-royal-infirmary-of-edinburgh\/&amp;data=05%7c02%7cRachel.Hallows%40nhs.scot%7c16d269481368462d3b6508dca7e41a28%7c10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7c0%7c0%7c638569845330856232%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c0%7c%7c%7c&amp;sdata=fceRtHZlWG1di9l8w0TpM4x05fsAYwWWrnTjFTU%2BgoY%3D&amp;reserved=0\">&nbsp;<\/a>to address the legacy of slavery, help remove racism and inequality and to shape a positive future for everyone. Implementing the recommendations are a fundamental part of our work to become an anti-racist organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Implementation Group will be a diverse group of staff and people from our local communities working to advise on and steer the delivery of the Independent Advisory Group&#8217;s recommendations. It will have three co-chairs, who will work together to effectively lead the Implementation Group. A decision has been taken to have three co-chairs based on experience of what worked well in the Advisory Group. We will appoint two co-chairs from the NHS Lothian BME Staff Network and one from NHS Lothian Board Non-Executive members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The co-chairs will work with the Equality &amp; Human Rights Team to decide on the arrangements and business of the Implementation Group meetings and on the content of reports to the Corporate Management Team and any other outputs from the Group. Each co-chair will share responsibility for chairing meetings of the Implementation Group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:laura.hutchison5@nhs.scot\">Laura Hutchison<\/a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:Rakiya.Suleiman@nhs.scot\">Rakiya Suleiman<\/a>&nbsp;to express an interest in this role or being a member of the Implementation Group, or if you have any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also wanted to ensure you&#8217;re aware that we have published our new training video &#8211; Understanding Racism on NHS Lothian website. This is part of our continuing work to create an inclusive culture for the people who use our services and work for us. The video is available on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https:\/\/org.nhslothian.scot\/equality-human-rights\/anti-racist-organisation\/&amp;data=05%7c02%7cRachel.Hallows%40nhs.scot%7c16d269481368462d3b6508dca7e41a28%7c10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7c0%7c0%7c638569845330866079%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c0%7c%7c%7c&amp;sdata=56SHyDgP7pygdB3BVgm894zbuB\/mzdqnfWTm\/WpAidQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\">NHS Lothian equality and human rights webpages<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/ehre\/race\/&amp;data=05%7c02%7cRachel.Hallows%40nhs.scot%7c16d269481368462d3b6508dca7e41a28%7c10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7c0%7c0%7c638569845330875144%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c0%7c%7c%7c&amp;sdata=dci1X2Mth30FAdweMTXsIsSCiCslcf1\/uVU4dEbiuXc%3D&amp;reserved=0\">NHS Lothian staff equality and human rights education website<\/a>&nbsp;(including a facilitator&#8217;s guide).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull fullstretch has-light-accent-plum-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e09cb750 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Join Our Mailing List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">You can stay informed on the network&#8217;s activities by joining our mailing list, or find out more about the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons downlink is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-03627597 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"mailto:loth.bmenetwork@nhs.scot\">Email BME Staff Network<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS BME Staff Network(Black &amp; Minority Ethnic) NHS Lothian embraces the rich diversity found in all areas of the health board. This reflects a growing diversity<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/noorangewidewidth.php","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-55","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"stephenharris","author_link":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/author\/stephenharris\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS BME Staff Network(Black &amp; Minority Ethnic) NHS Lothian embraces the rich diversity found in all areas of the health board. This reflects a growing diversity","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":193,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":732,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions\/732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/bme\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}