Bolton partners with CAHN to Address Community Health Inequalities

The University of Bolton and the Caribbean African Health Network (CAHN) have formed a partnership to support the aim of eradicating health disparities for Caribbean and African people across Bolton and Greater Manchester.

Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University, met on Monday with Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Chief Executive and Faye Bruce, Chair of CAHN, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Professor Holmes said: “The University of Bolton is proud and pleased to have this important partnership with CAHN.

“The health disparities in the Caribbean and African communities are truly shocking and it is imperative we work hard to make a difference.

“This partnership will involve enhancing the development and delivery of health programmes to our students who will become the future health professionals across the North West and beyond, as part of our pioneering Bolton College of Medical Sciences development and our School of Medicine.”

He added: “It will also celebrate the diversity of our communities and further develop the University’s culture of inclusion and belonging for staff and students and the wider community in which we serve.”

The partnership will lead to innovation in health curriculum to address health inequalities in Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities and ensure the curriculum is being used to:

- Challenge race inequality
- Achieve cultural inclusion
- Respond to the differences in students’ lives caused by racism, poverty and discrimination

The initiative is being spearheaded by Sharon Germaine-Cox, Assistant Vice Chancellor/MD Group Wide Academic Support and Professional Support Services at the University.

She said that the University currently makes a direct contribution to health inequalities through the training and continuous professional development it offers in this field.

Staff who deliver its programmes are developed and trained to incorporate these aspects in the curriculum delivered to the future workforce.

Sharon added: “The latest research and good practice undertaken by CAHN will enhance our existing provision.

“We will also work with CAHN on other projects to enhance the experience of its communities and the services it receives.”

Activities as part of the partnership will include:

- Developing a shared Partnership Officer role at the University and CAHN to support the delivery of the key activities below and support the objectives of the partnership. Sonia Mingoes has now been seconded from CAHN to the University as a Partnership Officer

- Supporting promotion activities, such as Black History Month, Community Health Awareness Programmes

- Supporting student and staff recruitment campaigns

- Developing a National Vice Chancellor Programme aimed at Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority staff who aspire to become Vice Chancellors

- Working with the Faculty of Health of Wellbeing to innovate the curriculum areas in Health to address health inequalities in Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities

Charles said: “We are delighted to have formed this relationship with the University of Bolton. We have made tremendous progress already and look forward to working even more closely with you.”