From family support to patient care: Oge’s story
This Black History Month is focusing on “honouring our communities” and to celebrate this we’re sharing stories from some of our colleagues across the Trust.
Oge Okeke (above), one of our community midwives, qualified six years ago. She said: “Working as a black person in the NHS provides me the opportunity to showcase my own excellence, dedication and compassion to what I do as well as bringing my uniqueness through interests, dreams and hairstyles.”
Saying she wouldn’t be where she is today without the support from her family and loved ones, Oge added:
Celebrating those who always support and empower me is important to me. It’s for my parents who show me endless support, my brother who is always there when I need him, my husband who encourages me to reach for greater heights; ‘go for it Nkem (my love), you can do it’ and my community sisters who I can learn, laugh and unwind with.
“Being able to empower each other is what matters when part of a community.
Supporting families in our local boroughs, Oge visits pregnant women in their homes to provide the support they need to bring their baby into the world and the care for mum and baby after birth.
Using her life experiences and knowledge, Oge uses this to help tailor each patient’s care to make sure their needs are met.
Oge said:
I use my understanding and judgement that I have gathered throughout my life along with my clinical knowledge and skills when I support my patients to make the care I provide more personal.
“Building trust with our patients is crucial and people want to know they can trust you as a professional who is caring for them and to see them as a person and not a number.
Reflecting on her experiences working as a black person in the NHS and how it has changed, Oge said:
I believe that progress has been made but inequality still exists where you can be judged for how you look or your ability is undermined because of the way your name sounds.
“To help break these barriers, we all should continue to find ways to make it easier for everyone to reach their goals and dreams.