CTM signs Memorandum of Understanding with BAPIO
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is delighted to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BAPIO (formally known as the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin).
At a special online event representatives of the Health Board and BAPIO were joined by Health Minister Eluned Morgan and organisations such as the GMC to highlight the importance of building a relationship between the UHB and BAPIO and to look at how the MOU will strengthen our commitment to our joint ambitions.
The MOU will see the two organisations work together to:
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the UHB;
- Jointly work towards raising the staff morale;
- Develop working relationships that will assist in the early resolution of issues of concern regarding individual members of BAPIO in particular and BAME staff members in general and
- Collaborate for recruitment and retention of clinical staff at the UHB.
BAPIO has been already working on these issues for many years and the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding with our Health Board is particularly timely as we come together to support staff and consider how we recover following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Nick Lyons, Medical Director for CTM, said: “The signing of the MOU is a really important step in our commitment to supporting our BAME staff and working with BAPIO to promote equality, diversity and inclusion across our organisation. Our BAME staff contribute so much to our Health Board and to our communities, and by undertaking this joint work we can strengthen the support we provide to them, particularly following what has been such a difficult time for them as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Prof Keshav Singhal, Chair of BAPIO Wales, outlined a brief history of the organisation over the last 25 years and its success in highlighting the agenda of equality, diversity and inclusion.
He said that CTM UHB had been particularly proactive in engaging with the BAME staff with the creation of the BAME network and expressed confidence in a joined up working between BAPIO and the BAME network in promoting the 4 pillars of the MOU.
Prof Singhal said that BAPIO had already saved £20 million to NHS Wales in locum costs with its all-Wales MTI recruitment scheme in which CTM UHB had taken the lead and expressed hope of a constructive relationship in delivering the aims and objectives of the MOU which are particularly relevant of the race equality action plan of Welsh Government. He thanked the Minister for her presence and encouragement to the process.
