Northern Ireland Health Trusts Condemn Violence And Intimidation Of International Staff

Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Trusts have issued a joint statement condemning recent violence and intimidation in local communities. Trust leaders say international health and care staff must be able to work without fear, warning that ongoing unrest is placing further pressure on already stretched services.

Health Trusts Issue Joint Statement On Community Violence

Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Trusts have said they are “deeply concerned and appalled” by the violence being witnessed across local communities.

In a joint statement, the Chief Executives of the Trusts said it is completely unacceptable that international staff, who provide an invaluable service across health and social care, should be intimidated or feel too frightened to come to work.

The statement comes as Health and Social Care services across Northern Ireland continue to operate under pressure. The Department of Health is responsible for health policy in Northern Ireland, while local HSC Trusts deliver services across hospitals, community care and other frontline settings.

International Health Staff Must Be Able To Work Without Fear

Trust leaders said all services are trying to operate as normally as possible.

However, they warned that the current disruption is making this increasingly difficult.

The statement highlighted the vital role played by staff across hospitals, care homes, community pharmacies, home care, primary care and community services.

The Chief Executives said:

“As Chief Executives, we value every single member of our staff, who are trying to care for vulnerable people, both in our hospitals and in the community every day.”

Northern Ireland Health Trusts Statement Highlights Pressure On Services

The Northern Ireland Health Trusts statement says the safety of patients, service users and staff remains paramount.

Health and Social Care Trusts provide local services across Northern Ireland, with NI Direct listing contact details for the six HSC Trusts, including Belfast, Northern, Southern, South Eastern, Western and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust.

Useful official links:

• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust: https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/
• Northern Health and Social Care Trust: https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/
• Southern Health and Social Care Trust: https://southerntrust.hscni.net/
• South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust: https://setrust.hscni.net/
• Western Health and Social Care Trust: https://westerntrust.hscni.net/
• Northern Ireland Ambulance Service: https://nias.hscni.net/
• NI Direct HSC Trust contacts: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/health-and-social-care-trusts
• Department of Health NI: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/

Patient And Staff Safety Must Come First

The Trusts said everyone working across Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Service must be able to provide essential care without fear or intimidation.

This includes staff working in:

• Hospitals
• Care homes
• Community pharmacies
• Home care
• Primary care
• Community health services

The Belfast Trust lists major hospitals including the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast City Hospital, Mater Hospital and Musgrave Park Hospital, while the South Eastern Trust lists services including the Ulster Hospital, Downe Hospital, Lagan Valley Hospital, Ards Community Hospital and Bangor Community Hospital.

Trusts Thank Staff For Continued Dedication

The joint statement ended with a message of thanks to health and care workers across Northern Ireland.

Trust leaders said they sincerely appreciate the continued dedication of staff who are working to care for vulnerable people during what they described as “really difficult circumstances”.

Full Joint Statement

We are deeply concerned and appalled at the violence which we are witnessing in our communities.

It is completely unacceptable that our international staff, who provide an invaluable service, should be intimidated or feel too frightened to come to work.

The current unrest is having a profound impact on all of our services, which are already under enormous strain.

All the Trusts are trying to operate as normally as possible but the disruption is making this increasingly difficult.

As Chief Executives, we value every single member of our staff, who are trying to care for vulnerable people, both in our hospitals and in the community every day.

The safety of our patients, service users and our staff is paramount.

It is imperative that everyone who works across our Health and Social Care Service, including Care Homes, Community Pharmacies, Home Care and Primary Care, are able to provide essential care to everyone that needs it, without fear or intimidation.

We would like to sincerely thank all our staff for their continued dedication, in really difficult circumstances.

Anyone affected by disruption should continue to follow official updates from Health and Social Care Trusts, the Department of Health and emergency services.