Croydon nurse to close Black History Month on Channel 4 on behalf of the NHS
A Croydon nurse will represent the entire NHS as part of Channel 4’s Black History Month celebrations this Friday (30 October)
Watch the full ad here
Krystyna Antoine, a community nurse from New Addington, was as the national face of the NHS for a Black History Month as part of the channel’s Black and Proud campaign that has been running throughout October.
Airing to millions of viewers in ad breaks throughout Friday evening, the special feature includes Black employees from the NHS, the education sector, Virgin Media, Uber, HSBC and Nationwide, reflecting on the importance of Black History Month and their hopes for the future of Black lives in Britain.
Krystyna joined the Trust as a healthcare assistant four years ago, and qualified as a nurse last year.
Talking about her experience, Krystyna said:
“It’s an honour to be a part of the advert and to represent the NHS and Croydon Health Services, particularly for Black History Month. From the Windrush Generation through to today, black people like myself have contributed immensely to the NHS and it is great to be the face of such a national institution.
“I have been inspired by many individuals both professionally and personally, from Mary Seacole, the British-Jamaican nurse who cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, through to my own grandmother, Hermine Grocia, who was recently part of the Windrush: Portrait of a Generation exhibition 2018 at the OXO Tower.
“Both faced and overcame, along with many others, challenges that have allowed later generations such as myself to grow and succeed in an extremely multicultural country and I now encourage my children to be similarly comfortable in their own skin, be empowered to be the best versions of themselves and to make a difference no matter how small.”
Elaine Clancy, Joint Chief Nurse at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, said:
“We’re very proud that Krystyna has been chosen to represent the NHS in this important feature.
“She demonstrates the best of Croydon’s nursing, demonstrating professionalism and compassion in her role, making a real difference and providing the highest quality of care to our patients.
“Her presence in the advert brings to a close a series of Black History Month celebrations at the Trust including exhibitions and organised with our BAME staff network to profile our incredible workforce. It’s been a great time to once again recognise the major contributions our Black colleagues have made to the NHS and to the country.”