Responding to the latest NHS England Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) report, Dame Donna Kinnair, RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary, said:
“While black and minority ethnic staff are still disproportionately involved in formal disciplinary action, it is good to see this continuing to move in the right direction1. However, we must ask why this progress isn’t being repeated in other areas.
“Some real strides have been made to increase the representation of BME staff on NHS boards, particularly in London, the pace of change must quicken if our nursing community is not to lose heart.
"BME nurses, who just want to go to work and get on with their job, are reporting a year-on-year increase in the amounts of bullying, harassment and discrimination from patients, managers or colleagues2.
“Research indicates there is a link between harmful cultures and the safety of patients, so resolving these issues must not be allowed to wait. It is the right thing to do both by the individual professionals and their patients and plays a direct role in safely staffing England’s health service.
"The RCN will continue to celebrate diversity in nursing and hold leaders to account to create inclusive workplaces through our events and campaigning throughout England.”3
Ends
- Read the full NHS England Workforce Race Equality Standard 2019 report here.
- In 2019, the likelihood of BME staff entering formal disciplinary processes vs. white staff was 1.22 compared to 1.24 in 2018 and down from 1.56 in 2016.
- In 2019, the number of BME staff reporting harassment, bullying or abuse from patients, relatives or the public rose to 29.8 per cent – the highest level since this report began.
