NI Health Trust chiefs condemn violence which has left international staff 'intimidated or too frightened to come to work'

The joint statement was issued on Wednesday, June 10, following recent violence across the province in the wake of a knife attack in Belfast on Monday.

The Chief Executives of the Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, South Western and Western Health Trusts said: “We are deeply concerned and appalled at the violence which we are witnessing in our communities.

“It is completely unacceptable that our international staff, who provide an invaluable service, should be intimidated or feel too frightened to come to work.

"The current unrest is having a profound impact on all of our services, which are already under enormous strain.

"All the Trusts are trying to operate as normally as possible but the disruption is making this increasingly difficult.”

The Chief Executives added, in their statement, that they value “every single member of our staff, who are trying to care for vulnerable people, both in our hospitals and in the community every day.”

"The safety of our patients, service users and our staff is paramount.

"It is imperative that everyone who works across our Health and Social Care Service, including Care Homes, Community Pharmacies, Home Care and Primary Care, are able to provide essential care to everyone that needs it, without fear or intimidation.

"We would like to sincerely thank all our staff for their continued dedication, in really difficult circumstances.”