16/11/2004
No room for ‘racism’ in health service - Minister
Health Minister Angela Smith today launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at tackling incidents of racism against Health and Social Services staff.
The ‘No Room for Racism’ campaign will use both radio adverts and posters, to show how racist incidents lead to fear and low morale among health service staff.
A Good Practice Guide, aimed at helping Health Service Employers and Employees in the fight against racial harassment, was also launched during the ‘Embracing Diversity within the Health and Personal Social Services’ event in Lisburn Civic Centre, today.
The Minister said: “There can be no room for racism within the Health Service in Northern Ireland. Racist attacks against Health and Social Services staff are extremely damaging, not only to staff, who suffer anxiety and low morale, but also to the health service itself.
“The contribution, which black and ethnic minority staff make in delivering the high quality health and social care service in Northern Ireland, is immensely important. Without them, the health service would cease to be able to deliver the services we need.”
The Minister said that the Department was commissioning research on the nature and extent of racist attacks, against health service staff.
“All Health Service employees must feel safe from racial harassment of any kind,” she said. “We should not expect anyone to have to tolerate it, whether it is in the workplace or in the community within which we live. It is essential that all sections of the community stand together in this fight against racism.”
(MB/SP)
The ‘No Room for Racism’ campaign will use both radio adverts and posters, to show how racist incidents lead to fear and low morale among health service staff.
A Good Practice Guide, aimed at helping Health Service Employers and Employees in the fight against racial harassment, was also launched during the ‘Embracing Diversity within the Health and Personal Social Services’ event in Lisburn Civic Centre, today.
The Minister said: “There can be no room for racism within the Health Service in Northern Ireland. Racist attacks against Health and Social Services staff are extremely damaging, not only to staff, who suffer anxiety and low morale, but also to the health service itself.
“The contribution, which black and ethnic minority staff make in delivering the high quality health and social care service in Northern Ireland, is immensely important. Without them, the health service would cease to be able to deliver the services we need.”
The Minister said that the Department was commissioning research on the nature and extent of racist attacks, against health service staff.
“All Health Service employees must feel safe from racial harassment of any kind,” she said. “We should not expect anyone to have to tolerate it, whether it is in the workplace or in the community within which we live. It is essential that all sections of the community stand together in this fight against racism.”
(MB/SP)
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