Black Lives Matter

We stand in solidarity with our black members and colleagues against racism and oppression across the world, including in the UK and Ireland.

The brutal murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery by the police have demonstrated the hatred experienced daily by black communities, an experience in no way unique to the US. We join with the TUC in stressing the urgent need to address the growing inequality that black communities in the UK face as a result of institutional racism in our workplaces and communities. It is only through solidarity and unity that we can hope to achieve this.

Organised peaceful protest has continued both here and in the UK. While in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we would encourage you to take care and consider your personal circumstances before joining a gathering, we fully condemn President Trump’s attempt to portray such protest as terrorism.

Black lives matter and it is important that the orthoptic profession plays a part in ending racism within health care and in communities. We understand that this taken a toll on our black members and want you to know that racism has no place within the orthoptic community.

As a professional body and trade union, we look to provide support to our members and also to stand with you whenever you need us.

To our black members and colleagues, we recognise your importance within the orthoptic profession and we have a duty of care towards you, support you and we stand with you.