13 July 2026
A special celebration event featuring inspirational speakers has been held to mark South Asian Heritage Month at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
The event brought together staff from across the Trust to celebrate the rich heritage, history and contributions of South Asian communities, both within the NHS and across the wider region.
Celebrations opened with a welcome address from Dr Brian McKaig, Group Chief Medical Officer, in the Wolverhampton Medical Institute (WMI), followed by a programme of inspiring talks and poetry.
Guest speakers included freelance poet Arun Kapoor, Sunita Banga, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead Midwife, and Manny Singh Kang, Pride of Britain Award winner.
Their speeches highlighted the impact of South Asian communities and the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion.
Attendees also enjoyed a delicious cultural lunch with dishes from across South Asia, donated by Unison.
Councillor Paul Singh, Mayor of Wolverhampton, also attended the event. Following his speech, he was given a tour of the Trust’s Emergency Department.
He said: “I have really enjoyed the hospitality today, and it was great to have a tour of the Emergency Department.
“New Cross Hospital is a very innovative hospital that continues to embrace modern healthcare.
“We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding facility and such fantastic staff here in our city.
“I also really enjoyed the South Asian Heritage Month event. It is important to recognise and celebrate this month, reflect on the journey so far, and look ahead to the future. “Hearing about the achievements and the fantastic work taking place across the community has been truly inspiring.”
Kerry Flint, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Trust, said: “We were incredibly proud to host this event and are deeply grateful to all our guests and attendees for their support.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our diverse workforce, recognise the valuable contributions of our South Asian colleagues, and provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the history, culture and achievements of South Asian communities.”
Harbinder Singh, Chair of the Trust’s BAME Employee Voice Group, said: “This event is a testament to our commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion across the Trust. South Asian communities have played, and continue to play, a vital role in the NHS and in society. It is an honour to recognise those contributions and celebrate the rich cultures and heritage that strengthen our organisation and our communities.”