HSE unequivocally condemns all incidents of racist abuse and assaults

International workers make up over 15% of the entire HSE workforce.

Nurses and midwives from India, Africa and other Asian countries account for 23% of HSE nurses and midwives.

The effective operation of many essential health services in Ireland would be seriously threatened without the support of the many thousands of international staff that work in our hospitals and community services every day, the HSE has said.

Healthcare professionals from India, Africa and other Asian countries account for 23% of HSE nurses and midwives. The HSE is proud of the organisation’s diverse workforce, all of whom are critical for provision of services for patients across Ireland.

Anne Marie Hoey, Chief People Officer of the HSE, said, “The HSE unequivocally condemns all incidents of racist abuse and assaults of people from abroad, their families and the wider community. It is unacceptable. People should not be afraid to leave their house or go to work for fear of abuse.

“We are proud of our organisation’s diversity and are dependent on all our staff for the delivery of frontline, essential services. Ensuring the safety of all employees and service users is a priority for the HSE. We are committed to creating a safe environment within which to work or to be treated.

“We are deeply grateful to international workers who have chosen to move their lives and families to Ireland to work with the HSE and help provide essential care and support for patients. We are saddened to hear reports that some international staff, now fearful for their personal safety, are considering moving away. This will have a dramatic impact on staff levels and the provision of health services and should be a cause for alarm for people in this country.”

The HSE actively supports the workforce through a range of policies, continuing to prioritise the management of work-related aggression and violence to support the organisation’s strategy and policy. Key focus areas are:

• National policy on the management of work-related aggression and violence (policy review)
• Risk Assessment
• Training.

The Dignity at Work Policy aims to provide a safe working environment for all employees in the public health service which recognises the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and which is free from all forms of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. This Policy is a key tool in health sector organisations’ management of their statutory health and safety responsibilities with regard to preventing and managing risks associated with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.  The Policy includes access to Support Contact Persons, who provide confidential information and emotional support to parties to a complaint. Training on dignity at work is mandatory for all HSE staff.

Supports for staff

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) makes counselling available for staff who need it. A staff member using the EAP service will initially be offered up to 6 sessions. However, the type of counselling delivered and the length of counselling is dependent upon how the staff member has been impacted and is assessed in each case. This may include trauma counselling.