‘Scared to go to work’: Filipino nurses attacked in city riots
Posted 05 August 2024 - 15:00
Terrified Filipino nurses were pelted with stones as they travelled to work providing emergency cover at Sunderland Royal Hospital during riots in the city
Nurses are ‘afraid to go to work’ following a report that two Filipino nurses had stones thrown at them during riots at the weekend.
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, the nurses had been called in to help provide emergency cover at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Friday night and were in separate taxis when the vehicles were pelted with stones as they passed a group of rioters.
Rioters went on to set a police station on fire. The report said the nurses were terrified and quoted a source as saying: 'They managed to get through but they were obviously fearful about what might happen to them.'
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital named in the report, said it had sent out messages of support, information and reassurance to all staff over the weekend.
Outpouring of solidarity by nurses on social media
On social media nurses shared an outpouring of solidarity for their colleagues, with Filipino headache nurse Susie Lagrata describing the reported incident as ‘heartbreaking’ and calling for an end to the violence.
‘Seeing and hearing the news that fellow Filipino nurses were targeted in yesterday’s riots is truly heartbreaking. Filipinos nurses are here, dedicated to helping the NHS and UK healthcare system,’ she said.
‘This violence and racism must end. We deserve respect and protection, not hostility!’
Senior matron Louie Horne said she had been contacted by more nurses at the weekend who were ‘scared to go to work’.
She added: ‘As a Filipino nurse in the UK for 25 years, I'm deeply saddened by the attacks on my fellow NHS colleagues in Sunderland. We dedicate our lives to care for others, and this racism and violence have no place in our society. Shame on those responsible.’
NHS chief executive condemns racist violence
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said in her weekly newsletter to staff on Monday that she completely condemned racist violence and stood in solidarity with all international staff.
It comes as organised anti-immigration protests spiralled into riots in towns and cities across the UK over the weekend, with petrol bombs being thrown outside a Holiday Inn hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Missiles were thrown at police and cars sets alight in Rotherham, Middlesborough and Belfast.
Filipino Nurses Association calls on communities to unite against acts of violence
Meanwhile the Filipino Nurses Association UK called on communities to unite against the acts of violence to show ‘respect and appreciation for the invaluable work of all healthcare workers’.
‘The Filipino Nurses Association UK stands in firm support of our fellow Filipino NHS nurses who were recently targeted in Sunderland,’ it said in a statement.
‘We condemn in the strongest terms the racism, violence and hostility directed towards these dedicated healthcare professionals as they made their way to provide essential emergency care. Our nurses, who have shown remarkable commitment and resilience, should never have to face such intimidation.’
Trust reaches out and offers support to staff and communities
Responding to the far-right race riots in recent days, RCN general secretary Nicola Ranger, said: 'These scenes around the country are nothing short of despicable racism – they have no place in our society and we join fully in the condemnation of them. As an anti-racist organisation, the RCN will take a lead part in tackling this hatred wherever it rears its head.'
A South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: 'In the lead up to Friday night and throughout the weekend, we worked alongside our partners as we reached out to staff to offer our support. We are incredibly proud of our diverse workforce and the communities we serve and live in.
‘With that in mind, the disorder we saw on the streets of Sunderland was distressing for our workforce. A number of colleagues, including our international nurses, expressed concern about their safety and, understandably, were upset about the incidents of violence.
‘We understand it has had an impact on them. We are ensuring they are being given the support they need and have someone to speak to if they are worried.’
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