Stacey Hunter, chief executive for University Hospitals Tees - comprising North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts - has penned a letter to 16,000 staff across the organisation to offer support and condemn acts of racial abuse targeted at health care workers.

In the letter, she writes: ‘I want to highlight serious incidents I was made aware of today relating to a number of our colleagues who have suffered heightened racial abuse in recent days.

‘These separate incidents - in this instance, happened as they travelled in to work – are, I have no doubt, not isolated occurrences. These appalling events are extremely worrying, and we will not tolerate this type of abuse at any level. We are of course working with these colleagues to offer all of the support they need. 

‘I also want to offer my absolute support to any member of University Hospitals Tees who has suffered similar abuse during their day-to-day lives.'

Describing a positive relationship with Cleveland Police, Hunter goes on to describe the importance of working with communities across Teesside to end the abuse. 

‘It's important we work with all of our partners over ignorance of any type. I mentioned this just this morning during a meeting with one our local MPs who wholeheartedly agreed.

‘I want to assure colleagues you are not alone. Incidents like this should never be ignored and accepted. I encourage you to please report them. We are richer for the diversity of our workplace and our population. It's one of many things that makes the NHS so great.'