Northern Ireland’s top nurse condemns Belfast race riots
Northern Irish health leaders have said they are “disgusted” by far-right race rioters in Belfast, who have racially abused people including nurses and continue to confront police.
Violence broke out in the Northern Ireland capital over the weekend, similar to the national riots organised by far-right groups in England following a misinformation campaign about the identity of a man who killed three children on 29 July in a mass stabbing.
“We are angered that this behaviour has left some of our staff feeling anxious, frightened, and unwelcome”
Maria McIlgorm and Michael McBride
The English riots saw minority ethnic people attacked – including two nurses on their way to work – and widespread damage to mosques, local businesses and high streets across the country.
Such scenes have been replicated in Belfast, with far-right demonstrations featuring racist slurs descending into violence, which persisted across the weekend and into Tuesday evening, 6 August.
According to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, the city’s main health service provider, some staff members had been racially abused during the riots.
A spokesperson for the trust said they were “appalled” and said the organisation had a “zero-tolerance approach” to such behvaiour.
They added: “Any abuse of our staff will not be tolerated, this is unacceptable behaviour and we would encourage anyone subjected to racist abuse to report each incident to the [police force] and to tell their line manager.
“We are very proud of our diverse workforce, and the contribution they make in our organisation and to the people we serve.
“It is important that each of us at this time reaches out to our colleagues, looks out for each other, and supports those who have experienced any racist hate crime or abuse.
“We have a dedicated helpline available to offer confidential support at this time, with psychological therapists available to listen and support. We have also shared additional sources of support both internal and external to the trust.”
A joint statement from Maria McIlgorm, chief nursing officer for Northern Ireland, and the country’s chief medical officer Professor Michael McBride – published today – condemned the racist behaviour.
They said: “The health and social care system in Northern Ireland is, and will continue to be, a place of welcome and support for all, regardless of culture, ethnicity or background, and we are disgusted by the despicable and violent scenes of recent days.
“We are angered that this behaviour has left some of our staff feeling anxious, frightened, and unwelcome.
“We want to reassure those staff that this behaviour is not representative of Northern Ireland, nor the people who live here.”
Local press has reported that some migrant nurses in Belfast had expressed a desire to flee the country out of fear after the race riots swept across the Northern Irish capital across the last week.
One nurse, from India, told BBC News NI that she intended to leave as soon as her current contract with the NHS was finished and that she was “frightened to come to the hospital for work”.
Ms McIlgorm and Professor McBride said, in response to reports of fear among the professions, that diversity within the health and social care workforce “should be embraced and celebrated”.
They added: “They come together day in and day out to provide kind and compassionate care to our sick and most vulnerable – irrespective of background – providing vital support to our health and social care system.
“Indeed, that contribution stands in stark contrast to the behaviour of those behind this violence.
“We must all stand together to reject the reprehensible behaviour and violence we have seen in recent days”
Mike Nesbitt
“We are the richer for our diverse and multicultural workforce, not only professionally, but within our communities right across Northern Ireland. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and to live in a safe environment free from harm and intimidation.
“We therefore condemn and stand against this deplorable racist behaviour and express our full support to all [Health and Social Care] staff.”
Mike Nesbitt, health minister for Northern Ireland, similarly called for unity and for an end to the violence.
“We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated health and social care workforce here,” said Mr Nesbitt.
“They truly are the backbone of the NHS, but I am both saddened and appalled that we have staff who are feeling vulnerable and unwelcome at this time.
“Let me be very clear, you are welcome and deeply valued, we recognise and appreciate the role you play in our communities and are grateful for the vital contribution you make to patients and society every day.”
A statement by the Northern Irish Health Department stated that employers across the country were “continuing to provide support for staff” amid the riots.
Mr Nesbitt added: “We must all stand together to reject the reprehensible behaviour and violence we have seen in recent days – there can be no justification for racism or xenophobia.
“I am very proud of the diversity within our health service and want all staff to know that you have my full support.”
With further far-right demonstrations planned across August, there are fears the racist violence from the last week will continue.
Meamnwhile, UK health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has said this week that patients abusing NHS staff “can” and “should” be turned away.
