McLaughlin welcomes apology to Derry nurse after racist abuse

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed an apology to Derry nurse Beverly Simpson after she was subjected to racist abuse.

Ms Simpson spoke out after being racially abused while carrying out her job.

Ms McLaughlin commended Ms Simpson for speaking out and said that steps must be taken to ensure health staff aren’t subjected to similar ordeals.

Foyle MLA Ms McLaughlin said: “I welcome the apology to Beverly Simpson from the Chief Nursing Officer for the abhorrent abuse she received while simply trying to carry out her job as a nurse, and the acknowledgement that we still have so much work to do when it comes to stamping out racism both within the workforce and in our society as a whole.

“Nobody should ever be made to feel uncomfortable or subjected to any kind of abuse. That Ms Simpson had to deal with this while trying to care for sick people, made it all the worse. Her story shocked people in our city and right across the North, but Ms Simpson’s experience is the reality for many people and minority groups. Until we accept that this problem exists, we won’t be able to deal with it properly.

“Derry and the North is becoming more diverse all the time and our society is much better for it. I’d like to thank Ms Simpson for showing real bravery and speaking out on this matter, it couldn’t have been easy. However, if we’re ever going to eradicate this kind of behaviour, then it can’t be allowed to happen behind closed doors. I will continue to liaise with the Department of Health following the issues raised by Ms Simpson and look forward to hearing their proposals to ensure that nobody is subjected to this kind of abuse in future.”