SDLP Foyleside Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr
A report by the British Medical Association found that medical professionals from minority ethnic backgrounds working in Northern Ireland experienced proportionally greater levels of racism than their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.
It drew on a survey of 2,030 doctors and medical students and found a ‘concerning level of racism in the medical profession’. A follow up report contains 23 actionable recommendations.
Said Cllr Seenoi-Barr: “The experiences detailed within this report evidence appalling and unacceptable racism that exists within our health service.
“It is truly shocking that among the respondents from Northern Ireland, 85% had experienced racism on at least one occasion within the last two years, almost 10% higher than in Great Britain.
“None of the racist behaviours described in the report should be acceptable in our health service or in wider society.
“This type of behaviour will also drive a significant number of capable professionals out of the service entirely as a result of racism and racist bullying. Given the service’s current staffing pressures, this should be cause for urgent action.
“It is also worth noting that one of the reasons for siting the new Postgraduate Medical School at Ulster University’s Magee Campus was to widen the pool of medical professionals trained to support and work within the Health Service in Northern Ireland and beyond.
“If their experiences of working here are marred by racism and other discriminatory behaviour then that may put our health service at further disadvantage.
“We simply cannot afford not to address this urgent challenge.
“I have therefore written to Minister Swann to ask that he urgently convene his officials to explore how the Department of Health can implement the recommendations within this report and look forward to his response.”
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