Tori Bowie died from complications in childbirth

[minsmum]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/65887510 she was only 32

Agree that ethnicity matters. And sorry this happened to you.

In my case - very mixed race and fitting into three ethnic categories (including black) - I gave the midwives a summary of my full ethnic background for both pregnancies.

First time around, I was told the NHS system didn't have space for more than two ethnic categories, so I'd have to pick which two to put down. Remember this is the info used for medical screening etc. - not just a 'nice to have'.

Second time around, no comment was made but I noticed the sticker at the front of my notes had an ethnic description with just two categories (not including black). Again, I assume software issues plus midwife judgment call.

Either way, it meant that if my black ancestry had put me or baby at higher risk, this wouldn't have been flagged because the NHS system apparently cannot cope with mixed ethnic backgrounds.

Obviously not directly relevant to Tori. But I do wonder if this is at least part of the problem in the UK.

Sorry that you have had this experience too. Its frustrating and draining to have the sane issues over and again. I think the problem is that those at the top don't care, and those we see day to day may be good people, but they are often ignorant to their own unconcious bias or just closet racists.

MircusWazRobbed · 20/06/2023 17:51
Re your post,

I wonder if the refusal to record all your ethnicities, one way or another, even outside the ‘tick-boxes’, may be as much as anything else down to their ignorance, thoughtlessness, and lack of imagination, or joined up thinking.

It is wrong and troubling.