The latest Digital Health Unplugged is now live, this time with a special episode recorded as part of Digital Health Virtual Summer School 2020.

Returning one year after their launch at Summer School 2019, the Shuri Network, the first network for women of colour in digital health, provided an update on what they’ve achieved over the past 12 months and what their plans for the future are.

The panel discussion, streamed to hundreds attendees, included co-founders Dr Shera Chok and Sarah Amani, along with:

  • Sonia Patel, NHSX CIO
  • Zainab Hussain, associate CCIO Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
  • Dr Ijeoma Azodo, Associate Director, Clinical and Health Service Design at National Digital Services Scotland
  • Yinka Makinde, Digital Health Tech and Transformation Leader at NHSX
  • Dr Nikki Kanani, Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England and NHS Improvement
  • Ronke Adejolu, Digital Clinical Development and Transformation, NHSX

Panelists spoke about their own experience working within the NHS and how organisations can play their part in reducing discrimination and improving representation.

Dr Chok said the network had taken off in a way she “could never have imagined”.

“For the first time we are hearing the experiences of women of colour in digital health,” she added.

Dr Kanani said it was time to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable” with respect to the BME agenda in digital health.

Dr Azodo spoke of a “shifting” relationship to diversity in the NHS as well as industries outside of health.

“I am watching what is shifting in relationship to diversity and inclusion in business, fashion & beauty, and retail,” she said.

“All of these have very high-touch relationships with customers where business outcomes and brand reputation are a major consideration. With the added pressure of the pandemic, there will be important lessons to learn about what to do (and not do) for sustainable health care in a low-touch economy.”

To find out what you can do to improve representation of women of colour in your organisation, or to get involved with the network visit shurinetwork.com.

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