'Value me for my expertise, not skin colour'

Why do we from black and minority ethnic backgrounds need to take a segregated approach?

I believe demanding a BME face at the Department of Health, or creating an exclusive forum, negates the really important aspects related to BME work.

Two complex issues must be addressed: how can we strive to serve the healthcare needs of an ever increasing BME population; and second, how can we ensure BME nurses get the right opportunities to develop and prosper in the NHS.

Diversity issues are not the sole province of people from BME backgrounds. The thrust in the NHS should be about all of us opening our eyes and ears to the needs of all vulnerable groups in the population at large and in the NHS workforce.

Discrimination - institutional and personal - is real in the NHS.

The way to ensure we eradicate it is not through segregated approaches.

I am always proud to be invited to join a forum or contribute to national policy because of my experience and expertise, not because of the colour of my skin.

Professor Ami David Director of nursing and professional development Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley primary care trust