Hospital workers supported by police after riots

Hospital staff dealt with those involved in rioting with "utmost professionalism", say bosses

Hospital workers are being supported by police following the summer's riots.

According to NHS Humber Health Partnership, one in five hospital workers in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire "identify as black, Asian or minority ethnic".

Spokesman Simon Nearney said its staff dealt with those injured in the disorder with "utmost professionalism" but added "many were naturally concerned for their own safety".

Community cohesion officers from Humberside Police have delivered safety sessions in Hull, Cottingham, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, and also issued advice on laws around hate crime, he added.

Hundreds gathered in Hull city centre on 3 August for an anti-immigration protest

In Hull, police officers were attacked, shops looted and fires started as violence flared in the city centre on 3 August following a demonstration involving anti-immigration protesters.

A wave of disorder spread across parts of the UK following the fatal stabbings of three girls in Southport on 29 July.

Mr Nearney said: "The majority of our hospital services simply couldn’t function effectively without members of the BAME community. They are essential to our health, our well-being, to our ability to care for one another and to creating a rich and diverse society.

“Hundreds of overseas nurses have sacrificed their family lives to travel thousands of miles to East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire and care for people in our hospitals."

Impact of disorder

Describing the disorder as "absolutely shocking", Mr Nearney said although he did not believe it was a "true reflection" of Hull "it naturally caused a lot of fear and anxiety" for staff.

NHS Humber Health Partnership runs Hull Royal Infirmary, Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, Goole & District Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

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