Dear Staff and Student Colleagues

We, the Dean and the Dean’s Management Committee (DMC), are acutely aware of the heightened anxiety and uncertainty that many of our international staff, registrars, and postgraduate students may be experiencing in relation to the planned nationwide protest action on 30 June 2026.

We want to state this clearly and with care: no staff member, registrar, or student should feel obliged to come to campus, clinical duty, or the workplace tomorrow if they do not feel safe. Your safety and wellbeing are our foremost priority, and this must guide all decisions you take.

We recognise that circumstances may vary for everyone depending on the part of the city from which you travel, your mode of transport, and your allocated health facility. We therefore respect each individual’s decision to come to work or not come to work tomorrow, based on their perceived level of risk.

Collectively, we hold the view that international registrars should not be compelled to come to work on 30 June 2026 if they do not feel safe to do so. We further recognise that individuals who use public transport, vehicles with foreign registration plates, or ride-hailing services may be at higher risk. If you are using any of these modes of transport and would still like to come to work tomorrow, please inform your Head of Division as soon as possible so that alternative transport arrangements can be explored and, where possible, facilitated.

We also recognise that events of this nature can create particular vulnerability, especially for those who are away from their families and support networks. In such moments, it is essential that individuals are supported to prioritise your safety without fear, pressure, or uncertainty, and that appropriate flexibility is exercised wherever possible.

Our international registrars, and students make an invaluable contribution across our Faculty and the broader health system. We deeply value your expertise, commitment, and the essential role you play in teaching, learning, research, and clinical service delivery. It is precisely because of this contribution that we are committed to ensuring that you are able to work, train, and learn in an environment that is safe, supportive, and responsive to your circumstances. 

As a Deanery and DMC, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that guide us: compassion, respect, professionalism, and care for one another. We are proud of the diverse community we share, and we want to reiterate that all international staff, registrars, and students are valued, respected, and deeply welcomed within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

If you have any concerns regarding your safety in relation to tomorrow’s planned protest action, we strongly encourage you to communicate directly with your Head of Division or line manager at the earliest opportunity so that appropriate arrangements and guidance can be provided.

Please know that you are not alone during this time. Support is available, and we are committed to standing with you and ensuring that your wellbeing remains central in all decisions taken.

Sincerely

Professor Lionel Green - Thompson
Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences