BONA JOINS CBEN

The Confederation of Black Ethnic Minority Nurses, Midwives & Health Visitors (CBEN) was created following concerns raised at an international Nursing Conference in May 2000 regarding the absence of a recognised active, strong voice of black and ethnic minority nurses, midwives and health visitors particularly at policy and decision making levels within the NHS.

What is CBEN?

The Confederation comprises members of Black and Ethnic Minority National Associations and Networks, each with its own diverse history, serving as a rich forum for the advancement of the activities of the confederation.

The Confederation is dedicated to the advancement of Black and Ethnic Minority nurses midwives and health visitors.

CBEN’s Mission?

To create tangible and visible changes in career advancement of Black and Ethnic Minority healthcare professionals. We will do this by:

CBEN’s Purpose

• being an umbrella organisation with a collective voice which is recognised by the Department of Health and other associated bodies
• creating a body of expertise available to deal with and respond to specific health-care workplace-related issues when necessary
• developing robust policies in the interest of its membership through partnership.

“We are determined to ensure that there will be, in future, the presence of confident and informed black and ethnic minority nursing leaders with strong and credible voices, in the corridors of power, contributing to the development of policies throughout the health service, for “we are United to Empower our members.”

Benefits of membership

CBEN is committed to enabling and supporting the progress and development of its members, and will do so through:

Education - provision of opportunity for improved individual progression in the workplace through skills development, workshops and seminars; identifying unexplored talent within different disciplines and cultures, and harnessing such potential, thus promoting the advancement of the individual.

Representation - support to members involved in workplace-related issues.

Timely information - research data collection

Pastoral Support - advice and guidance to or in the interests of its individual or collective members.

Political - non-partisan activities by participating in governmental and local consultations and contributing to policy development.

Helping to change the perceived image of the NHS around the progression and pace of advancement of BME healthcare professional

Assisting in recruitment and capacity building.