As we continue our South Asian Heritage Month (18th July to 17th August) celebrations, we’re proud to share stories from some of the incredible South Asian colleagues who make a real difference every single day at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
This month is a special opportunity to recognise the contributions, heritage, and inspiring journeys of our South Asian staff, who care for patients, support families, and enrich our workforce with their skills, values, and lived experiences.
Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight their powerful stories throughout the month, in line with this year’s theme: Roots to Routes.
Name: Bilal Khan
Job Title: Medical Secretary
Could you share your story of your family’s journey from South Asia to the UK?
My family’s journey to the UK began with my father. He was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK at the age of 11. The decision was driven by my grandfather’s desire for better opportunities, hoping to secure a stable job and future. For my father the transition was a shock, he left behind everything he knew and was suddenly in a new country where the language was a barrier and the culture was very different. He worked hard to adapt, overcoming these challenges with resilience.
Years later, he met my mother, who was born and raised in the UK, but my mother’s parents had also migrated from Pakistan. Together, they built a life, blending the immigrant experience with a British-born identity. They instilled in me and my siblings the importance of education and hard work, values born from their own experiences.
As a result, I was born and raised here in Leeds. This has meant that while I have been brought up with British values and fully immersed in the UK way of life through my friends and education, my parents also ensured I was always taught about my roots. My Pakistani culture, heritage, and background have been a constant and important part of my life, and it’s an identity I continue to hold onto with pride.
How long have you worked for our Trust?
I have worked for the Trust since December 2023, I started as an administration supervisor for Paediatric Oncology and my current role is as a medical secretary with the Ear, Norse and Throat Department.
What motivates or inspires you day to day? Anything in particular about your role?
My current role inspires me in by being able to help our patients, communicate with them and schedule them in for their elective planned surgeries, book their follow up appointments and ensure that a continuation of care is done to the highest of standards and that I am contributing effectively and positively in that continuation of patient centred care.
My drive to work in healthcare is to make a positive difference and be able to help people.
How do you pass on cultural values, lessons, and traditions to your family and those around you?
I pass on my cultural values by making them a living part of my everyday life. This happens naturally at home through the Pakistani food we cook, the language we speak, and by celebrating key festivals like Eid and Ramadan, which embeds our traditions in family life. I also make a conscious effort to share our family’s migration story and explain the core values behind our customs, such as respect and hospitality. By sharing these experiences openly with family and the wider community, I aim to ensure we honour our roots, giving us a strong foundation to thrive as British Pakistanis.