NHS admits more BAME workers report bullying

NHS England has announced that it is to invest £2 million to reduce inequalities at work. Part of the money will pay for 75 “champions” to help NHS Trusts tackle racism. The news comes as a new report from the NHS Equality and Diversity Council (EDC) reveals that a higher percentage of black and minority ethnic (BAME) workers report bullying and harassment at work than white workers do.

The report covers all NHS Trusts in England. Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, told the BBC that its findings were “deeply concerning and a clear call to action”. Joan Saddler, Co-Chair of the EDC, added that NHS Trusts had previously been monitoring allegations of racism at work – but had done little to tackle problems they discovered.

BAME staff reported experiencing harassment at work ranging from verbal abuse through to sustained bullying from their managers and colleagues. There were reports of abuse from patients and relatives, but generally BAME workers did not report harassment from patients and relatives more than white workers did. There were also inequalities in promotion and similar opportunities for staff. The report has not revealed the actual figures involved, but confirmed that disproportionate reports of negative experiences came in three quarters of NHS Trusts.

There are concerns that the NHS cannot function to optimum levels while BAME workers are experiencing these conditions at work. The new report comes over three years after Hari Sewell, former Executive Director of Camden and Islington NHS Trust, warned that there was institutional racism in the NHS. Now the figures have confirmed his allegation, the NHS should ask itself why it has taken so long to act – and should look into what other problems staff are experiencing?

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