Corrd the Seeker sits down with Dr Joanna Betterton for an honest conversation about vaccinations, trust, and why our communities deserve better from the NHS.
On Tuesday 3rd February, the NHS Takeover show came back to Ujima Radio with a conversation that really needed to happen. Host Corrd the Seeker welcomed Bristol GP Dr Joanna Betterton to talk about childhood vaccinations — not in the way health professionals usually do, but in a way that actually acknowledged where our communities are coming from.
And that made all the difference.
Why so many parents are hesitant
Let’s be real. For a lot of families in African and Caribbean heritage communities, the idea of vaccinating your child doesn’t just come down to medical science. It comes wrapped up in decades of history — history where Black people, and especially Black women, have been let down, dismissed, and ignored by the health system.
Dr Betterton didn’t shy away from this. She said straight out that she completely understands the fear, and that anyone in the same position would feel exactly the same way. That kind of honesty? That’s what was missing from a lot of these conversations.
Corrd raised a point that a lot of parents will relate to — the fact that so many Black mothers have said they feel unheard by their GPs. That when they know something is wrong with their child, they get told otherwise. And when that keeps happening, trust doesn’t just wobble. It breaks.
It’s not a quick fix
One of the most important things Dr Betterton said on the show was this: rebuilding trust isn’t something you can rush. It’s not the job of parents to just “get over it” and trust the system again. It’s the job of health professionals — and the NHS — to do the work.
She talked about a workshop she ran in London, where she turned up in her hoodie and jeans, sat down with parents, and just listened. No white coat. No clipboard. No lecturing. Just real, honest conversations about what people were worried about and where those worries came from.
That’s the kind of approach that actually works.
The things that need to change
The show also touched on something that a lot of people don’t realise — the fact that medical training has historically been really lacking when it comes to darker skin tones. Dr Betterton pointed out that if you look up what a skin rash looks like online, most of the images are only relevant to people with lighter skin. Things look completely different on Black skin, and for years, doctors simply weren’t trained to recognise that.
It’s getting better. But it’s not there yet. And every time something like that slips through the cracks, it’s another reason for our communities to question whether the NHS is really looking out for them.
The people who are really trusted
Here’s something that Dr Betterton was very clear about — when it comes to reaching Black parents and families, the most trusted voices aren’t always the doctors. She spoke about groups like Black Moms Matter, and how the women in those groups are the ones who really have the ear of the community.
These are women who have lived the experience. They know what it feels like to be a Black mum navigating the NHS. They know the fears because they’ve felt them too. And when they talk to other parents about vaccinations or health decisions, people listen.
Dr Betterton said to one of their representatives: “You’re the most important person here by far.” And she meant it.
So what about vaccinations?
Dr Betterton ended the show with a simple comparison that stuck. She said vaccinations are a bit like putting on a seatbelt when you get in a car. You don’t do it because you think you’re going to crash. You do it because, in that one moment when something does go wrong, it could save your life. Vaccinations work the same way — quiet protection, there for when you need it most.
But her biggest message to every parent listening was this: don’t ever feel worried or ashamed about the questions you’re asking. You know your child best. Talk to your GP. Read up from trusted sources. And know that health professionals are there to help — not to judge you.
Want to know more?
If you have questions or concerns about childhood vaccinations, you can speak to your local GP or visit the NHS website at nhs.uk. You can also reach out to community groups like Black Moms Matter for support and shared experiences from people who truly get it.
And if you missed the show, make sure you listen again — link above.