Unity is our Strength - joint BWC Trust statement
Unity is our Strength - Joint Statement from BWC Board & Executive Team, IDEA Staff Network and Staff Side to colleagues across our Trust
The last few days have been incredibly distressing. Following the events in Southport, we have sent messages of support and offered assistance to our NHS colleagues who have been treating the victims and families of those involved in last week’s violent attacks.
The shocking civil disorder we have subsequently seen across the country since then has been sickening. There is no place and no excuse for racism or discrimination of any kind in our communities.
Our NHS is built on the foundations of people who were asked to leave their home countries to create the incredible universal healthcare system we have today.
A model that celebrated its 76th birthday last month and has been enriched and sustained throughout its history because of its diverse workforce, with almost 200 nationalities represented, unified by a common set of values and beliefs, which always put the needs of patients first.
We are proud of and value everyone within our BWC workforce. We are also proud of our anti-racist stance and the way colleagues across our Trust regularly come together to celebrate and honour the diversity of our Team BWC and those we care for.
The impact of these intolerable acts witnessed have left many of us feeling frightened, anxious and deeply upset. No one should be made to feel unwelcome or fearful in their own communities, whether at work or home.
Our message is simple. Despite the despicable racist and violent acts, we have seen from a minority of people, we will continue to stand united with all our colleagues and our communities. These actions will not deter us from providing the very best care for all our women, children, young people and families.
The largely peaceful counter-protests last on Wednesday (7 August) have also been a powerful demonstration of the strength of feeling that exists across the nation, that racist actions and violence have no place here.
Thank you for all you are doing to support our colleagues and patients. It is also important to remember to seek help and support when you need it.
Please remember, a range of support services are available to our members of Team BWC. They have been shared in our communications updates throughout this week and links are available on our intranet.
Thank you to those of you who have already been putting arrangements in place to help colleagues and patients stay safe and who have been regularly checking in with each other and your teams. We will continue to empower all and reiterate that your safety, both physical and psychological, is paramount.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.’
Our strength comes from our unity.