CLCH nurse named one of the 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health

Francis Fernando, Head of Nursing for the bedded units in the North Central Division for Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH), has been named one of the 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health by the Health Service Journal.

This honour was particularly due to Mr Fernando’s efforts to support Filipino nurses both before and throughout the pandemic. Mr Fernando is the founding director of the Filipino Nurses Association UK, which offers support and advocacy for this important group. He has also co-ordinated mentoring and coaching for around 150 Filipino nurses to help them move forward in their careers and collated details of nurses who have advanced through the Agenda for Change grades. He additionally takes up cases of individual nurses who are experiencing difficulties in their careers. Mr Fernando is a Florence Nightingale Foundation leadership scholar and has previously worked as a consultant nurse and a matron.

Unsurprisingly, this is not the first time that Francis has been recognised for his inclusive leadership. Earlier this year he was a winner at the National BAME Health & Care Awards (BAMEHCA) in the category of Compassionate and Inclusive Leader – Initiative.

The event’s host and DiversityQ’s Editor, Cheryl Cole, announced:“Francis demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting underrepresented groups, challenging those in authority to take action and developing practical support for BAME colleagues in their trust and nationally”.

Francis had this to say about his recent achievements: "It is a great honour and privilege to be recognised by HSJ and by the National Health and Care BAME Awards 2021. I am deeply humbled, blessed and very grateful. I dedicate these recognitions to all my Filipino colleagues in the UK and in the rest of the world. I also want to thank my family and friends who are always there to support me. Lastly, I want to thank HSJ and National Health and Care BAME Awards, their sponsors, the judges and my co-winners and nominees. To God be the Glory."