The chief executive of a medical defence organisation has issued a statement denouncing growing threats of violence against healthcare workers.
MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said there was ‘no excuse or justification’ for the behaviour.
This comes amidst the spread of disorder and criminality following a number of far-right and anti-immigration rallies across the UK.
Over the last week, violence has erupted in a number of towns following the murder of three children in Southport. More than 370 arrests have been made so far, with rioters looting shops and attacking hotels housing asylum seekers.
The Royal College of GPs this week urged GPs to travel in groups and avoid known areas of unrest. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, its chair, said: ‘Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to caring for people in need.
‘They deserve to be able to do their jobs without fear of being attacked or abused – and both staff and patients deserve to be able to travel to and from surgeries safely.’
Violent attacks
MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said: ‘Healthcare workers from minority ethnic backgrounds and those who qualified overseas and are registered to practise here are part of the backbone of the NHS.
‘We stand on the side of everyone working at the frontline of healthcare. We are appalled to hear of healthcare workers being targeted with abuse and violence amidst the civil unrest and rioting in recent days.
‘There is no excuse or justification for what has been happening on our streets. All healthcare workers deserve to go to work in safety and without fear of racist abuse or attack.
‘The whole NHS leadership must now demonstrate that everyone working in healthcare is welcome and valued. The anger and violence we have witnessed will not prevail.’
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