Swann sends message from top of health system that ‘racism will not be tolerated’

Mr. Swann said he wanted to send a message form the ‘top of the health and social care system’ that he is committed to tackling racism.

He made the hard-hitting statement in response to an Assembly Question from SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin who raised a recent BMA survey that reported significant levels of racism within the NHS.

Following the publication of the report Dr. Mukesh Chugh, a Consultant Anaesthetist at Altnagelvin, said the ‘Racism in Medicine’ report highlighted the levels of bigotry often experienced by colleagues.

Responding to Mrs. McLaughlin’s question, Mr. Swann said: “Racism, in any shape or form, is not something that any colleague in HSC should have to endure.

"I want to send a clear message, from the very top of our health and social care system, that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We fully recognise and respect the hard work, commitment and dedication of HSC staff from within the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community.

“HSC Trusts including NIAS have a responsibility to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to ensure staff know they can come to a workplace that is free from abuse and harassment. It must be clear to everyone who works across HSC that they have the full support of senior management and the Department of Health in tackling any form of racism,” he stated.

Mr. Swann said health authorities alongside the NIAS have worked to develop an Equality Action Plan which sets out actions being taken forward,

"Actions in the Plan are intended to make sure that the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations are mainstreamed across health and social care.

“The Trusts have established a Joint Consultative Forum so that they can continue to work closely with the Community Relations Council (CRC), the Equality Commission (ECNI) and the Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) in taking forward the Action Plan.

"Considerable work has been done across health and social care to promote good relations such as a regional training manual for HSC Staff; guidance for Non-Executive Directors on equality, human rights and good relations; celebrating good relations week; and establishing Minority Ethnic staff networks,” he said.

Each Trust has employment policies in place to support staff including the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which supports fair employment, he said.

“Additional mechanisms in place for reporting incidents of racism and discrimination include the Conflict, Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace Policy and the Complaints Policy, as well as an ECNI approved Equality Scheme,” said Mr. Swann.

Further measures include: bespoke welcome packages for the International Recruitment Program; mandatory training in the form of the Equality, Good Relations and Human Rights E-Learning Programme ‘Making a Difference’; and Staff Support Network to support ethnic minorities colleagues.

“The Department recognises and welcomes the increasing number of medics from a diverse range of backgrounds who are coming to train in NI.

"Accordingly, the NI Medical and Dental Training Agency is working with trainee representatives and the HSC Trusts to provide the necessary support for these medics, and their families, as they settle in to life in Northern Ireland and pursue their careers in the HSC,” he said.