The NHS has systematically failed to tackle racist discrimination and abuse amongst staff, as one-third of black and ethnic minority health workers have suffered this type of bullying. Levels of harassment have not improved over the past five years, as nearly 30 percent of minority staff being abused in this way compared to 20 percent of white employees.
Ethnic minority staff make up almost 25 percent of the NHS workforce, yet they occupy only 10 percent of senior positions, according to an NHS flagship report.
One nurse spoke to The Independent, saying she had given up her job due to the levels of bullying she endured.
Another left the NHS in order to work in the private sector due to the detrimental effect of discrimination on her mental health.
The organisation Equality for Black Nurses has launched 200 cases of alleged racism against a number of NHS trusts since it was founded in 2020.
Founder Neomi Bennett told the publication: “Racism is driving nurses out of the NHS.
“I see day in and day out the effects of racial bullying and how this impacts nurses across the UK.
“The bullying of Black nurses has reached pandemic levels and goes unchallenged.
“However, there is a clear difference in experiences when comparing Black nurses’ difficulties to white nurses.”
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