Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Racist abuse against NHS staff from minority backgrounds is increasing
Racist abuse against NHS staff from ethnic minorities is increasing across Britain, with workers reporting harassment, intimidation and assaults by patients.
Nearly three in 10 say patients have targeted them, according to the figures described in the report.
One nurse in north Wales said patients had told him to return to his country, while a radiologist said he had been called a monkey.
Reported racist incidents involving nurses rose 78% in five years, according to their union.
The issue has been raised in the UK Parliament, and a nursing union leader said anti-migrant rhetoric can affect how people treat healthcare workers.
The NHS plans to strengthen prevention and security with training, more security staff and additional cameras in hospitals.
These measures are intended to help curb abuse, but no further steps or timetable are given.
Racist incidents against NHS staff from ethnic minorities are increasing, according to a report by franceinfo.
Nearly three in ten healthcare workers from immigrant backgrounds say patients have harassed, intimidated or assaulted them.
Incidents reported by nurses have risen by 78% in five years, according to their union.
Healthcare workers describe racist abuse, including being told to return to their country and being called a monkey.
The NHS says it plans to strengthen prevention and security through training, more security staff and additional cameras.
- Who
- NHS staff from ethnic minorities, including nurses and radiologists, are facing racist abuse from patients.
- What
- Racist incidents are increasing in Britain’s public health service.
- When
- The article was published on 13 October 2026. Nurses’ reported incidents rose over the previous five years.
- Where
- NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom, including a hospital in north Wales.
- Why
- A union leader said increasingly anti-migrant rhetoric influences behaviour in society and toward healthcare workers. The sources do not establish a definitive cause.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Racist incidents reported by nurses increased by 78%, according to their union.
A radiologist said the abuse had become worse.
Lisa Elliott testified to the British Parliament about violence targeting healthcare workers.
franceinfo reported on rising racist incidents and the NHS’s plans to strengthen prevention and security.
- Nurse reports
- Racist incidents reported by nurses rose 78% in five years
- Affected workers
- Nearly three in ten healthcare workers from immigrant backgrounds said patients had harassed, intimidated or assaulted them
- NHS response
- Training, security staff recruitment and additional hospital cameras
- Nurse’s experience
- The anonymous surgical nurse had worked in north Wales for 25 years
What people are saying
It is really painful, after twenty-five years here, to still have to fight to prove that we belong here.
They called me a monkey, among other things.
We see the impact of the anti-migrant rhetoric that we hear more and more.
Sources
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