The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has reiterated support for its “diverse workforce” amid concern over racist attacks and intimidation in the community during recent civil unrest.
Speaking at a meeting of the Trust board at Antrim Hospital on Thursday, chief executive Jennifer Welsh thanked staff members who helped colleagues who had to move out of their homes during July.
“Since that time, we have witnessed some awful things during a period of civil unrest,” she stated.
“I am very proud of the diverse workforce that we have here in the Northern Trust. We recognise the really important roles that all our staff play in hospital settings and out in the community.
“It is really appalling that staff here and wider health care family have been left feeling vulnerable and unwelcome.
“You are welcome. You are deeply valued. Thank-you for all you do for people in the Trust area.”
Board member Gerard McGivern said:
“As a board, we are very supportive of all of our staff and really value all of our staff. We are privileged to have the diverse range of staff we have here.”
In response to a query over a “go-to” person for those experiencing crisis in the community, Mr McGivern was told of the role of the Trust’s ethnic diversity taskforce group which has been visible to provide support in Antrim and Causeway Hospitals.
He was advised that the Trust feels “reassured that staff know where to go” to seek help.
Chair Anne O’Reilly noted that the Trust has been able to act “quickly and responsibly” and staff support sessions have been taking place.
Commenting on media reports about the cost of interpreters for patients, Alison Irwin, head of equality, said:
“We have a legal duty to provide information in an accessible way.
“Any time we need to understand what doctors or nurses are saying, it is there to protect patients and staff. It is really important. The media talks about huge amounts of money. It is not. It is there to protect everybody.”
Recently, North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston highlighted in an online statement the cost of interpreters in the NHS in relation to dentistry, GP services and access to hospitals.
Mr Gaston said: “I wrote to the Health Minister asking for a breakdown of these costs and the response is frankly eye watering.
“In 2019/2020, we spent £4,092,031, £2,111,123 in 2020/21, £3,415,013 in 2021/2022, £4,147,139 in 2022/2023 and £4,425,608 in 2023/24.”