Statement from the BNMS President on recent events in the UK

This is a message from me, as BNMS President not only to our members but also to our wider Nuclear Medicine community.

I’m sure all of you were and continue to be completely horrified by what took place in Southport. Whether you are a parent or not, you will have young people in your family, and the thought of those precious young lives being snuffed out is intolerable. My heart goes out to their families, to those who survived the attack and to all the emergency and other NHS services involved in responding and providing urgent care to everyone affected. The deaths of those children is something that will heavily impact that community for a long time to come, and is something that will forever change the lives of those families affected.

Sadly, as you will all be aware, this tragic incident has been taken advantage of by far-right extremists. What is happening across our country is not protest. It is racist violent thuggery. It is appalling and I know every reasonable person in this country utterly abhors it. I’m certain every member of our Nuclear Medicine community utterly abhors it.

I imagine all non-white members of our community are feeling afraid and unsettled. They may be feeling worried about their journey to and from work. They may be thinking twice about some of the things they had planned for the summer. Some of their family members may even have been directly affected as businesses get burned out, people are attacked and racist abuse is thrown at people. It is unprecedented in recent times and is deeply depressing. Up until a few years ago, I felt our country was moving towards being more culturally diverse and tolerant. However, it has been clear over recent times that this is not so, as the far right have been legitimised and allowed a voice that I never wanted to hear.

I was going to write about it in my August blog, but it can’t wait until then. I want to do something to help, but I feel so helpless to do anything. There isn’t a quick fix, and it will take a long time to rebuild once this has subsided. Not just the physical damage, but the trust and confidence that I hope will one day return.

At this awful time, I want to reach out to all our colleagues who by virtue of their faith or the colour of their skin, will feel anxious and alarmed. To those colleagues I would like to express my thanks and admiration for the work you do to support our NHS. We literally could not survive without you. I want to say to all of you that I stand with you. That we all stand with you. Please do not take what is happening as a reflection of the esteem in which you are held. These thugs do not represent us. And things will get better again, I am hopeful of that. But we all have to pull together and make it clear that this will not be tolerated.

Please read the message from Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief Executive, in the following link. And if you are feeling worried or anxious, please do not suffer alone. Speak to a colleague or your manager about it. We are here for you.

Healthcare leaders update

Ms Jilly Croasdale
BNMS President