BME health staff suffer increased harassment

The latest Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) report from NHS England shows that NHS black and minority ethnic (BME) staff are suffering from increasing levels of bullying, harassment and abuse. 


The report found the number of BME staff reporting bullying, harassment or abuse from patients, their relatives or the public rose from 29.1% in 2016 to 29.8% in 2019. 


And the percentage of BME staff experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse from other NHS workers has seen the largest increase — from 27% to 29%. Furthermore, fewer BME staff believe their health trust gives equal career progression and promotion opportunities, with figures falling from 73.4 %to 69.9%. 


Commenting on the report, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “It’s disgraceful that bullying, harassment and abuse are on the rise for black staff. And that it’s increasing from colleagues, as well as patients, is of deep concern.”


She said that as well as the devastating effect on the individuals targeted, it’s distressing for patients to witness and adds to the NHS staffing crisis.


“Improvements in recruitment, disciplinary processes and access to training are slowing,” she said. “The gaps for black staff are still too wide and nothing makes up for the grinding daily toll of abuse.


“All staff must be encouraged to call out every incident and work with employers to establish measures to combat bigotry in all its forms.”