Apology by NHS body for memo

A health board has apologised after advising staff to avoid speaking to members of the Travelling community.

NHS National Services Scotland sent an internal memo to staff at Gyle Square in Edinburgh regarding local Travellers.

It said the board planned to lock all facilities over the weekend having been “made aware of the presence of a Travelling community in the local area”, Holyrood Magazine reported.

It said the memo continued: “If you have a car in the car park, please make sure you have moved it by 8pm this evening.

“We deeply regret the content of that email”

“If approached consider avoiding dialogue with the Travelling community members to prevent any possible issues.

“Be vigilant on access and security to the building and site, reporting any breaches immediately.”

A second memo is reported to have been sent three hours after the first, apologising for any offence but confirming the site gate would remain closed for the weekend.

The health board said the email failed to meet its standards on equality, diversity and inclusion and it has given staff additional training.

Labour’s Monica Lennon said: “Scotland’s gypsy and Traveller communities face discrimination on a daily basis and this is a very worrying example from NHS officials.”

An NHS National Services Scotland spokeswoman said: “We deeply regret the content of that email, which did not meet our required standards around equality, diversity and inclusion and is not reflective of our views as an organisation.”