Council Lights Up Blue to Support the NHS

March 26, 2020

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to be lighting its Civic Headquarters blue this evening in support of our hardworking local healthcare system.

Councillor Ryan Carlin, Chairman of the council’s Corporate Services Committee, said: “As a council we believe it is important to show support for our NHS staff as they are working long hours to try to treat as many patients as possible and save lives on an hourly basis.  We are encouraging residents to follow the health guidance given about regular hand washing and social distancing but sadly not everyone has accepted these new ways of living.  By turning our building blue we want to show those who are out and about what it could mean if advice from Chief Medical Officers is ignored – our healthcare system will become overburdened and that puts key workers at risk and costs lives.

“So I would like to encourage everyone in the Lisburn Castlereagh area going forward to think ‘What impact could this decision have on our doctors and nurses?’. Please be mindful if heading out for a walk that you keep your distance from others, avoid meeting up in large groups and don’t buy more food products than you need.  If as a society, we keep panic buying and meeting up sociably we are increasing the likely spread of coronavirus.”

Alderman Paul Porter, Vice-Chair of the council’s Corporate Services Committee added: “Over the years I have seen first-hand how well our NHS staff manage patients.  They are caring professionals who always put others first.  Now is our chance to say thank you and put them first.  So please, remember to regularly wash your hands for 20 second with hot water and soap.”