Pritchard urges NHS leaders to demonstrate ‘British values’ in face of riots
NHS England chief Amanda Pritchard has condemned anti-immigration riots that took place over the weekend as “deplorable violence, intimidation and thuggery”.
Anti-immigration riots have broken out in cities across England after three young girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.
Eight more children were injured, with five left in a critical condition, while two adults also suffered critical injuries.
In a message to NHS staff today, shared with HSJ (read below), Ms Pritchard said: “Sadly, the riots that followed in Southport, and then other towns and cities over the course of the week, also warrant – indeed they require - comment.
“The deplorable violence, intimidation and thuggery we have seen – and particularly the arson attack on the hotel in Rotherham housing asylum seekers – can and should be lent no justification. It is fundamentally wrong, fundamentally un-British, and a source of deep shame. But it is often in the worst of moments where the best of people can be seen.”
The Mirror newspaper has reported that the taxis of two Filipino nurses were targeted as they returned home from work.
Ms Pritchard cited the “outpouring of solidarity in Southport, first for the families affected by the attack, and then for those whose homes, businesses and places of worship had been damaged by rioters” and the “professionalism of the NHS staff in Southport and elsewhere who are dealing with the consequences”.
She added: “It is they – not those rioting, and not those inciting and justifying violence from afar – who best represent our country, and British values – the values that led to the creation of the NHS and have sustained it since.”
In the closing paragraphs, Ms Pritchard also urged senior leaders to “ensure you are demonstrating that most British value of community, now more than ever”.
She called on leaders to “show in your actions that when we say we have zero tolerance of racism towards our patients or colleagues, in whatever form it takes, we really mean it – even when it is difficult or uncomfortable”. NHS leaders have in previous years debated whether and how to deny treatment to those who are racist to healthcare staff.
Riots escalated over the weekend as two hotels housing asylum seekers in Tamworth and Rotherham respectively were attacked. Places of worship, particuarly mosques, have been attacked. The Home Office has said mosques will be offered emergency security measures.
Downing Street held an emergency Cobra meeting this morning that involved several government ministers and senior police officials. In a press conference on Sunday, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said those who have participated so far would “regret taking part in the disorder”.