Rob Hurd, chief executive of NHS North West London, today underlined the ICB’s firm stance against racism and misogyny by making the following statement:
As a public body serving diverse communities across North West London, we were appalled by the violent racist and misogynistic comments made by Frank Hester in relation to Diane Abbott MP. The impact of those comments are deeply damaging and completely unacceptable in a civilised society. It is right that they have been widely condemned.
I would like to assure our staff and residents that we are committed to challenging racism, misogyny and violence against women and girls wherever it arises. Our Race Equality Steering Group, comprising both NHS and local authority colleagues, is developing a strategy to combat racism, including tackling unconscious bias in our services and recruitment processes. We have also launched a working group to develop the NHS response to Violence Against Women and Girls in North West London. It is incumbent on all of us to challenge attitudes that do not align with a just, inclusive or safe society.
Rob Hurd
Chief Executive