Member's statement: Health and Social Care Staff: Racist Attacks
Member's statement by Mr Philip McGuigan on .
- MLA
- Mr Philip McGuigan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 15 June 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Health and Social Care Staff: Racist Attacks
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5613247
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I rise as my party's health spokesperson to condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist attacks, threats and intimidation that have been directed at Health and Social Care workers in the past week. The scenes that we have witnessed have been shameful. Healthcare workers who have dedicated themselves to caring for others have been subjected to fear, abuse and intimidation simply because of where they come from or the colour of their skin. Such behaviour is utterly unacceptable and has no place in our society. Our Health and Social Care system faces unprecedented challenges. We continue to experience significant workforce pressures across all our hospitals, community services and primary care. Vacancy levels remain high in many professions; recruitment remains difficult; and retaining experienced staff is an ongoing challenge. Against that backdrop, international healthcare workers have become a vital part of our health service. Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, care workers, support staff and many others come from across the world and make an enormous contribution every day. They care for our loved ones, support our communities and help to sustain services that would otherwise struggle to function. The reality is that our health service depends on their skills, dedication and commitment. Without international recruitment, many services would face even greater staffing shortages, and patients would experience longer waiting list waits and reduced access to care; in fact, our health service would collapse without them. No healthcare worker wearing a uniform should have to fear travelling to work or providing care in their community. I hope that no healthcare worker feels that they have to leave their job in the North and move away because of racism. To every international healthcare worker who has chosen to make their home in the North, I send a clear message: you are valued; you are respected; and you are welcome. Your contribution to our Health and Social Care service is recognised and deeply appreciated by us all. I stand in solidarity with all who have been affected by the attacks, and I stand with the health service, with healthcare workers from every background and for the principles of equality, inclusion and respect that must define our society. Racism must be challenged wherever it appears, and we must ensure that all our healthcare staff can live and work free of fear, intimidation and hatred.
390 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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