UNISON condemns government plans to X-ray children seeking asylum

UNISON members working in health have spoken out against government plans to X-ray children seeking asylum in the UK in order to confirm their age. Chair of UNISON’s science, therapy and technical occupational group Gemma Jones said the plans “break the code of conduct of radiography staff and their legal duties for radiation protection by instructing them to expose vulnerable individuals to ionising radiation without consent and without any medical need, for a procedure that is not reliable to determine age.” Ms Jones also said the proposal “seeks to make healthcare staff complicit in the government’s cruelty.” The Society of Radiographers has also criticised these plans. Speaking to The Independent, their president Ross McGhee said staff should refuse to carry out the tests. The society have issued a statement condemning the measures as showing “a lack of compassion to those in need, as well as disregard for radiation safety and a blatant lack of understanding and respect for the work of radiographers and the health service. “The NHS is in the midst of a workforce crisis, while our patients are dealing with the stress of growing waiting lists. The focus of this government should be on addressing these fundamental issues facing patients, healthcare workers and the nation as a whole,” said the society. These proposals accompany the government’s plans to dismantle the UK’s asylum system through its Illegal Migration Bill. The provisions within the Illegal...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News Illegal Migration Bill Source Type: news