Black History Month: 60 seconds with Michael Magbagbeola
Michael Magbagbeola, newly appointed Director of People at Newham Hospital, reflects on Black History Month, his experience working in the NHS to date and why we must consistently strive for inclusivity.
As Black History Month comes to a close and I find myself reflecting on my experiences in the NHS to date, I can honestly say that 95% of my work experiences have been great.
I started working in the NHS in 2007 and I have been fortunate to work with a lot of incredible people that have played a part in my journey. I have had quite a few inspirational leaders who have believed and invested in me to progress in my career. I look forward to joining the executive team at Newham Hospital and working with them, the diversity networks as well as others in the Hospital and Trust to ensure that all staff have equal opportunities to progress in their chosen career paths just as I have. I am an advocate for celebrating black history throughout the year and not just a month as I believe that black history is everybody’s history. Why only celebrate black people in October and then forget black people and the many other people who were on the front line of war on 11th November (Remembrance day). If we are to value our history then let us value all history and show that value everyday through our conduct and practices.
The privileged position of working in HR continues to expose me to the harsh realities that prejudice and discrimination continue to exist in the NHS and this impacts on staff and patients in equal measure. One of the focuses going forward will be to work with our staff networks, patient forums, staff representatives and quite frankly everybody to create an environment where having positive work place experiences is a norm and expectation for all our staff, this is paramount to improving the already compassionate patient care provided by Newham Hospital and more widely, Barts Health Trust as a whole.
Although my journey has been favourable it has come at the cost of some adapting and shrinking to make others feel comfortable. Providing Newham Hospital staff with the platforms to have honest conversations to improve cultural appreciation, wellbeing, psychological safety within teams, cohesion, inclusion and prevent anyone else from having to ‘shrink’ must be a priority.
For staff to be the best versions of themselves at work, they need to be encouraged and supported to bring all of themselves to their role, and to align to their truth. Doing this might make people feel a little uncomfortable to begin with. But a little bit of short-term unease can be good thing that really helps in the long run.
Prejudice is very rarely direct but rather covert and sometimes seen as just banter. In fact quite often, the perpetrator is oblivious to the offence. However, when unchallenged the awkwardness this ‘banter’ can create is never known or addressed, it can leave bitterness to fester over time. Bitterness which I have seen ruin departments, wards and entire hospitals. I don’t want to see that happen at Newham Hospital.
I am extremely excited to start at Newham Hospital as Director of People; in fact, of a truth it’s one of the greatest honours I have been given. To lead is to serve and with the extremely talented and humble people I have met so far I am certain that together we can make Newham Hospital one of the best hospitals to work, develop and have fun in.
See you soon.
Michael Magbagbeola
ps. Please fill in your staff survey, we need as much truth as we can get to help move things in the right direction