Scottish NHS board formally apologises over its historic involvement with slavery in Jamaica

The Scottish NHS Lothian Board has issued a formal public apology to Jamaica after the Government acknowledged their historical links to slavery and announced an outline of a plan to make amends for their past actions through healthcare support for the region. These developments took place after research revealed the organization's involvement with the slave trade.

Established in 1729, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) managed by NHS Lothian discovered through research commissioned by the health board that the organization greatly benefitted due to profits earned off of slavery in the 18^th century. The report unveils that the RIE inherited a Jamaican plantation named Red Hill Pen in 1750, this stained legacy was left by surgeon Archibald Kerr including 39 slaves. The report estimates that for more than the next 140 years, these slaves generated "a considerable amount of wealth" for the institution through rental income from the plantation, they also received monetary contributions from individuals who profited from the slave trade.

The report suggests these funds were used to construct a building, purchase medicine and provide healthcare for the regional population. In response to uncovering these findings, Professor John Connaghan, Chairman of NHS Lothian issued a formal public apology while present at an "equality and diversity conference." He states “We recognize and apologize for these historical acts and the impact on all the people who have suffered because of them.”

The report proposes several efforts to make amends for the organization's past misdeeds, these include commissioning artwork dedicated to the victims of slavery to serve as a form of public recognition, signing an agreement aimed at improving the healthcare system in Jamaica, the details of which are yet to be finalized, and sending NHS staff to work in hospitals surrounding the former Red Hill pen.

These developments have however been criticized by some, Stephen Kerr, a Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament argued that resources should be allocated to address the current financial concerns facing the NHS, he emphasized that this plan prioritizes ideology over practicality.

How the plan unfolds is yet to be determined but with or without reparations, the public apology issued by Chairman Connaghan is an act of goodwill towards the Jamaican people, acknowledging the injustices they have been put through in the past.