Brain Drain

Recruitment of African healthcare professionals resulting in detrimental impact of healthcare on the African continent.

Briggs Report – 1972

The report reviewed the role of the nurse and midwife in the hospital and community. The committee recommended that all students start on the same course, consisting of an 18-month foundation course leading to a certificate in nursing practice.

British Nationality Act – 1948

An act that created the legal status Citizenship of the UK and Colonies (CUKC). This included Britons and Colonial British subjects under a single definition of British citizenship.

Campaign Against Racial Discrimination or CARD – 1964

Was a British organisation, founded in 1964 and which lasted until 1967, that lobbied for race relations legislation. The group's formation was inspired by a visit by Martin Luther King to London in December 1964.

Colour Bar

A form of systematic discrimination against black and ethnic minority groups. The colour bar meant those affected were prevented from applying for certain jobs or finding affordable housing.

Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962

The Act amended the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, further reducing rights of citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations countries. The Act barred the future right of entry previously enjoyed by Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, to those born there or who had at least one parent or grandparent born there.

Farming

The practice of private fostering or the ‘farming’ of African children to white families, usually while their parents were studying. See private fostering.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done.

Fostering

To take care of a child, usually for a limited time, without being the child's legal parent.

General Nursing Council

Established by the Nurses Registration Act of 1919. In conjunction with the GNCs of Scotland and Ireland, established at the same time, it was to compile and maintain a Register of qualified nurses, and to act as the disciplinary authority of the profession.

Ghana Nurses Association

Is an organisation formed by and for Ghanaian Registered Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors who work and live in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1993.

League Of Coloured Peoples (LCP)

A British organisation that campaigned against racism and the colour Bar. It was founded in 1931 by Dr. Harold Moody.

Nigerian Nurses Charity Association UK

Is a non profit organisation formed in 1998. It represents over 3000 Nigerian nurses in the UK.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Is the regulator for nursing and midwifery in the UK. It keeps a register of all nurses, midwifes, specialist community public health nurses and nursing associates eligible to practice within the UK.

Overseas Nursing Association

The Overseas Nursing Association formerly the Colonial Nursing Association, which was established in 1895 to provide trained nurses for hospital and private work in the British colonies and among other British communities abroad.

Private Fostering

This is when a child under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) is cared for, and provided with accommodation, for 28 days or more by someone other than a close relative, guardian or someone with parental responsibility. Close relatives are defined as parents, step-parents, siblings, brothers or sisters of a parent and grandparents.

Private Students

Students who had come to study in Britain without government funded scholarships.

Project 2000

Was a higher education scheme that moved nurse training into universities rather than hospital based schools.

Race Relations Act – 1965

The first legislation in the United Kingdom to address racial discrimination. The Act outlawed discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origins in public places in Great Britain.

Race Relations Act – 1968

Was an Act of the UK Parliament making it illegal to refuse housing, employment, or public services to a person on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origins in Great Britain.

Royal College of Nursing

A membership organisation and trade union with over 432,000 members in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1916, receiving its royal charter in 1928.

Salmon Report – 1967

The report made recommendations aimed at raising the status of senior nurses within hospital management.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

An inherited blood disorder where red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen around the body. It is particularly common in people of African or Caribbean descent.

Sickle Cell Society

Is a charity that supports and represents people affected by sickle cell disease. It was founded in 1979.

State Enrolled Assistant Nurse (SEAN)

Due to the shortage of nursing labour in World War II the UK Nursing Council approved shorter training courses. SEANs were first recognised in 1943. The term assistant was removed in 1961, giving the new title of SEN.

State Enrolled Nurse (SEN)

Is a second level nurse who has undertaken an 18 month course. This nursing qualification was retired in the mid 1990s.

State Registered Nurse (SRN)

Is a first level nurse who has undertaken a three year course.

The National Health Service (NHS)

The publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. It was founded in 1948 after World War II.

The Nurses Registration Act 1919

Was an act of the UK parliament that set up the General Nursing Council. The council established a register of nurses.

West African National Secretariat (WANS)

Was a Pan-African movement based in Britain founded by Kwame Nkrumah in 1945.

West African Students Union (WASU)

Founded in 1925, it was an association of students from various West African countries studying in the UK. WASU campaigned against racism in Britain and colonialism and for independence in West Africa.