Chief Executive & Registrar Bernie O’Reilly: Violence and disorder is disgraceful and has no legitimacy

Chief Executive & Registrar Bernie O'Reilly has responded to recent examples of violence and disorder:

We have all witnessed the disgraceful, criminal behaviour of a small minority of people across the country over the last week. There is absolutely no legitimacy to anything they have done – it is racist, mindless violence.

Thousands of health and care professionals coming from all backgrounds and from all over the world provide excellent care to people across the UK day after day. Some of them, their colleagues, and their families may now be feeling vulnerable. We should never forget their immense contribution in treating and protecting the public, and we must do what we can to support each other. None of our registrants should feel unsafe at work.

Our standards for health and care professionals make absolutely clear the behaviour and ethics we expect as a healthcare regulator, including the need to challenge discrimination in all its forms. We will continue to play our part in upholding these standards.