Readers’ panel: What should employers be doing to tackle racist abuse from patients and relatives?
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Readers’ panel: What should employers be doing to tackle racist abuse from patients and relatives?

Stacy Johnson @misssdjohnson Associate professor, University of Nottingham
Francis Fernando @fernandof1974 Head of nursing, London NHS trust, Filipino Nurses Association UK
Sherene Gayle Third-year adult nursing student, Middlesex University
Alethea Browne Second-year nursing student, Birmingham City University

Our experts consider a hot topic of the day

Nursing Standard. 36, 4, 12-12. doi: 10.7748/ns.36.4.12.s9

Published: 31 March 2021

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Picture credit: iStock

For more on this issue, go to rcni.com/nurse-racist-abuse

Readers’ panel members give their views in a personal capacity only


Employers must set the expectation that staff will intervene where there is obvious – and more subtle – racism from patients, relatives and staff, and provide training in effective intervention. Racist incidents are underreported because black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff are oên not believed or are told they are being sensitive. Sometimes no action is taken even where racism is undeniable. Until NHS leadership is more representative of the workforce, racism will persist.


Nursing employers have a duty of care to their employees and must demonstrate zero tolerance of racist abuse from patients and relatives. A fiĥ of the UK’s nursing workforce comes from overseas, and we would not have an NHS if it were not for these staff. We provide high quality care, and we don’t expect to be racially harassed. We’ve sacrificed so much, especially in this pandemic. UK society must unite against racism.


Underreported racist abuse is a particular problem among students from BAME backgrounds, who worry that their academic record will be affected if they speak out. The NHS and universities need to tackle racism by taking a proactive anti-racism approach with video and social media campaigns involving senior staff members. They also need to support BAME staff networks. I have encountered racism on placement during the pandemic and our student network supported me.


Mandatory training for all healthcare staff about stereotyping of racial groups and ethnicities would make people more aware of what is unacceptable. Although some racist behaviour is intentional, often it stems from ignorance and lack of understanding. On placement, I’ve been warned that my assertiveness may be seen as rude or aggressive, yet I’ve noticed white colleagues being praised for acting similarly. More needs to be done to eliminate such racial stereotypes in the workplace and educate people.

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