Urgent action demanded as racist abuse against UK nurses increases by 55%
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) projects a record number of racist abuse cases this year, as staff who were hailed as 'heroes' during the pandemic now face appalling prejudice from patients and colleagues.
The RCN has warned of a crisis as its helpline is set to receive over 1,000 calls reporting racist abuse against nurses in the UK by the end of the year.
This figure marks a 55% increase in just three years, up from nearly 700 cases reported in 2022.
The RCN, which is the world's largest nursing union and professional body representing over half a million staff, revealed its advice line now receives an average of three calls every single day from global majority nurses across the UK. The union stresses that the true figures in workplaces are likely far higher, as most racist abuse and discrimination go unreported.
Call for action and end to 'anti-migrant rhetoric'
The RCN is demanding urgent intervention from employers and politicians. On its website, the union shared a clear message:
"We’re calling for urgent action, demanding employers prioritise tackling racism, and warning politicians to end their use of anti-migrant rhetoric."
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said:
“These racist incidents are absolutely disgusting, and it is a mark of shame that they are rising like this across health and care services. Every single global majority nursing professional deserves to go to work without fear of being abused, and employers have a legal duty to ensure workplaces are safe.”
Forms of abuse
The reported abuse is varied, originating from multiple sources within the health and care environment.
- Colleagues: Nurses have been subjected to racial slurs and explicit, hostile comments. One RCN member reported being told by a colleague, “I want to remind you that you’re not one of us.”
- Management: Employers have repeatedly failed to take action when racist abuse is used against nurses. An example given by the RCN is one of a nurse who was denied annual leave and told by their manager that “they should not have come to the UK”.
- Patients and families: Patients and their families have acted in patronising ways, using dismissive racial connotations. One family refused care from a nurse, saying they didn’t want “people like her” treating them and referring to the nurse as a “slave.”
'Heroes' to targets
Just five years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these same professionals were widely celebrated as heroes for their tireless work in keeping the country supported through hardship. This dramatic shift highlights what advocates argue is a broader normalisation of “us vs them” rhetoric, where ethnocentric views diminish the capability and humanity of others.
The rise in tensions is not confined to healthcare. Former Royal Marine Commando Ben McBean, a decorated veteran described as a “hero” by Prince Harry, recently faced shocking racial insults during a shopping trip. While waiting in a Tesco car park in Plymouth and greeting his brother-in-law, an elderly lady walked past and said, "You couldn't make it more obvious, you black b**tard. Get the f*** out of my country."
McBean, who was badly injured fighting for the UK in Afghanistan, posted a video recalling the experience:
'I was born in this country, my parents were born in this country... fought for this country. Almost lost my life for this country. For people like her.'
Amidst heightening tensions and reported attacks on religious places of worship, such as mosques and synagogues, advocates are intensifying calls for tolerance and respect for people of colour, migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and ethnic minorities.
The numbers are undeniable; the stories are heartbreaking. For a health system built on care and compassion, the rising tide of racist abuse represents a profound moral failure.
While the Royal College of Nursing provides crucial support through its legal team and helpline, advocates stress that true change must come from the top. It demands an end to political rhetoric that fuels prejudice and a complete overhaul of workplace policies that have allowed racism to thrive.
The question for policymakers is simple: Will they move to protect the diverse staff who hold the health service together, or will they allow the very people who saved lives during a pandemic to be driven out by hate?
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