A HIDDEN HISTORY:
African Women and the
British Health Service
1930–2000

This project centres the oral history of African women and their journeys in British healthcare. YHP interviewed 35 women to learn about their experiences whilst training and working in the NHS during different eras; from the fifties to the modern day. Whilst some of our interviewees were born in Britain, others migrated from nations including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Malawi, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and Sudan – arriving alone or accompanied by family. With decades–long careers in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, midwifery, research, and psychiatry, these women have impacted countless lives and inspired many. We would like to thank all our project participants for their invaluable contributions. Read their stories below.