It is a privilege to release Guest Blog 15 here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk on the topic of ‘Representation in Healthcare’.

This piece has kindly been provided by Mr John-Paul Kunrunmi who was born and raised in London, United Kingdom. John-Paul has always had a passion for healthcare and recently graduated in Pharmacy from The University of Brighton. At this present moment in time, John-Paul is undertaking training in Primary Care / Community Pharmacy to qualify as a Pharmacist in July 2023. Following on from this healthcare qualification, a plan exists to complete a Masters in Public Health towards the end of 2024. John-Paul’s ultimate dream is to conduct research in the field of health disparities and health services to bring benefit to those patients in the community that he serves. Naturally, we wish him all the best.

Here is Guest Blog 15, enjoy….!

“Representation in healthcare matters, especially for marginalised communities like the Black African-Caribbean community, where morbidity and mortality rates are disproportionately higher than our white counterparts due to medical racism and negligence. Countless cases could be prevented every year if healthcare providers become more culturally competent and if we could also encourage young black people to become healthcare professionals.

The University of Nottingham has its own Afro-Caribbean Medical Network, started by 2 second year medical students in 2019 as a space for Afro-Caribbean healthcare students. Its aim is to create community and to allow new students to learn from those who are further on in their respective courses and to also be inspired by those who have graduated from previous years. I had the honour of being a keynote speaker at their ‘Journey to Success 2023’ conference, talking about my experiences as a black Pharmacy student and as a black trainee Pharmacist in predominantly white spaces. I had the opportunity to meet black Junior Doctors, Nurses, Midwives who have also dipped their toes in business and entrepreneurship, providing services to bridge the gap between the black community and culturally competent healthcare.

It was heart-warming to see so many young future healthcare professionals who understand that there is a dire need for representation in all corners of healthcare. It was also surreal, knowing that people were listening to me and my experiences and valuing what I was saying and being inspired by my words. I am confident that we have what it takes to spark a change that will last forever, but I also know that there is work to do. I know now that more black healthcare professionals need to use their voices to speak up, no matter how hard or how small it may seem. A thousand little cracks are enough to create a breakthrough!

I look forward to a future where the Afro-Caribbean community are no longer scared to be admitted into hospital or book an appointment with their GP. I cannot wait for the day where I have colleagues and members of my team that look like me. However, I’m most excited to be a friendly face for someone who feels out of their depth and know that I can vouch for them in the face of injustice if necessary.”