The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has reported a 55% increase in racist incidents against nurses over three years, with over 1,000 calls expected this year compared to nearly 700 in 2022. The union blames anti-migrant rhetoric for emboldening racist behaviour.
Examples of abuse include a manager telling a nurse that they should not have come to the UK after denying annual leave, and a colleague saying, 'I want to remind you that you’re not one of us.' Other incidents involve patients refusing care from a nurse of colour, referring to her as a 'slave,' and making racist remarks about visibility in the dark.
RCN general secretary Prof Nicola Ranger called the rise a 'mark of shame' and urged employers to ensure safe workplaces. She said, 'Every single ethnic minority nursing professional deserves to go to work without fear of being abused.' The union also called on the government to stop anti-migrant rhetoric, which it says puts staff at risk.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson condemned the abuse, stating, 'Racism and discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our NHS.' The Prime Minister has ordered an urgent review of racism in the health service.
