Dr Zoe says it's 'no coincidence' that Windrush and NHS both marked 75 years

04 October 2023 , 13:54

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This Morning's Dr Zoe says it's "no coincidence" that Windrush and NHS both marked 75th anniversary

This Morning's Dr Zoe has said that it's "no coincidence" that Windrush and NHS both marked their 75th anniversary.

Zoe has fronted a new documentary called Our NHS, which is part of ITV's Fresh Cuts series. It shines a light at the contribution of black people to the NHS. The show kicked off Black History Month over the weekend, mentioning four pioneering black doctors.

Speaking about making the documentary, she said: "I learned a lot making this documentary about the contribution that black people have made to the NHS and we're focusing on doctors in particular, it's no coincidence that the Windrush is 75-years ago, and the conception of the NHS is 75-years ago."

Zoe fronted the documentary

Zoe said she wants as many people as possible to watch the programme so viewers can understand what doctors are doing and learn about how black doctors have been involved in the NHS through the last seven decades.

"I was so proud of them and I want as many people to watch it as possible to be proud of them too and see what they're doing but also learn about how incredible the contribution of black doctors has been throughout the past seven decades," she said. She explained that they went on a "mission" to find four young doctors that are changing things for the better as well as speaking to four mature doctors. In particular they speak to a men who is in his 90s about what he experienced as a medical student and being a doctor in the UK.

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The younger doctors who are featured include those whoa are using social media to tackle issues around medicine, but also issues around racism.

Zoe went on to talk about how it is predominately picture of white people in medical text books, which means an accurate look at some conditions isn't given of other races. She said "it's important that doctors are trained to recognise these conditions in dark skin as well". The description of the programme says: "Dr Zoe celebrates 75 years of the NHS by meeting four pioneering Black doctors shaking up the world of medicine."

As part of ITV's ‘Fresh Cuts’ marking Black History Month; OUR NHS with Dr Zoe Williams is available on ITVX and ITV1

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Charlotte Everett