Racist incidents against UK nurses surge by 55% | Nursing
The number of reports of racist incidents at work by nurses has increased by 55% in three years, according to an analysis by the nurses’ union.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) expects to receive more than 1,000 calls from nurses seeking advice and support after racist incidents in the workplace this year, compared to almost 700 cases in 2022.
Examples of racist abuse reported to its helpline include a nurse who was refused annual leave and told by her manager that she should not have come to the UK, and another RCN member who was told by a colleague: “I want to remind you that you are not one of us.”
Other racist incidents reported to the union include a patient and his family repeatedly refusing a nurse’s care because they said they didn’t want “people like her” to treat them and calling the nurse a “slave.” Another member was the subject of racist remarks, including being told that you could only see black people’s teeth “when it’s dark.”
Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, said it was a “mark of shame” that racist incidents were increasing in health and care services.
She said: “Every ethnic minority nursing professional deserves to go to work without fear of mistreatment, and employers have a legal duty to keep workplaces safe. These findings must refocus minds in the fight against racism.
“If employers in the health and care sector fail to make their workplace a safe environment for nurses, it is no surprise that these same staff will leave and their services will be cut. [left] less secure staff.
The nurses’ union urged the government to stop resorting to anti-migrant rhetoric, which it said was putting staff at risk.
Ranger said: “The reality is that our health and social care system only works because nurses of all ethnic backgrounds, nationalities and faiths do. We urge the Government and politicians of all parties to recognize their role in tackling racism – and this must include ending the use of anti-migrant rhetoric, which only risks encouraging racist behaviour.”
The RCN also called on employers to prioritize tackling racism and working with unions to establish stronger mechanisms to protect staff.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “These grim figures are shocking and our hearts go out to the victims of this vile abuse.
“Racism and discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our NHS. The Prime Minister has ordered an urgent review into all forms of racism within the NHS, as part of wider efforts to tackle discrimination in the health service.
“We value the diversity of our NHS, which is built on the skills and dedication of nursing staff from all backgrounds – the hard-working staff, who keep our health service running by caring for patients, must be treated with dignity and respect.
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