Rising Racism Concerns in the NHS as Healthcare Workers Report More Abuse from Patients

Healthcare staff raise concerns over increasing racist behaviour, discrimination and hostility in hospitals

The National Health Service (NHS) is facing renewed concerns over racism towards healthcare workers, with staff reporting a rise in discriminatory behaviour from some patients. Healthcare professionals have described incidents involving racist comments, refusal of treatment from non-white staff members, and verbal abuse linked to ethnicity and nationality.

A recent survey conducted among members of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) highlighted what experts described as a noticeable increase in racist incidents over the past 18 months. The reports include healthcare workers being subjected to offensive language, xenophobic remarks, and patients refusing to receive care from staff because of their racial background.

The NHS has long been recognised for its diverse workforce, with thousands of employees from different ethnic communities working across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare services. However, staff representatives warn that racist behaviour is affecting employee wellbeing and creating challenges for an inclusive working environment.

Patient refuses ultrasound scan from non-white healthcare professional

One reported incident involved a sonographer who was asked to perform a pregnancy scan for a patient. According to the Society of Radiographers, the patient’s husband refused to allow the non-white healthcare worker to carry out the scan, stating that he did not want someone from an ethnic minority background touching his wife.

Another reported case involved a patient who refused to allow a Black radiographer to conduct a chest X-ray, claiming that Black people made them feel uncomfortable.

Healthcare professionals say such incidents are not isolated. Some workers have described patients ignoring them, refusing to communicate with them, or questioning their skills purely because of their appearance or background.

A number of radiographers who contributed to the survey said that they had experienced patients directing questions towards junior colleagues instead of speaking to them, despite being the qualified professional responsible for their care.

NHS workers describe impact of racist abuse

Paul Awah, a diagnostic radiographer based in Bedfordshire, said he had experienced patients questioning his ability and communication skills because of his ethnicity.

Awah, who originally comes from Nigeria, explained that some patients claimed they could not understand him despite English being the only language he speaks. He said these reactions appeared to be connected to his skin colour rather than any genuine communication difficulty.

He also described situations where patients questioned whether he had performed medical procedures before, particularly when he was called to assist with more complex cases.

According to Awah, racist attitudes that may previously have been hidden are now being expressed more openly. He suggested that wider social debates around immigration and economic pressures have contributed to some people feeling more comfortable expressing discriminatory views.

Healthcare workers say racist comments are becoming more common

A sonographer of Asian heritage working in the Midlands told the Society of Radiographers that she had heard patients make comments blaming immigrants for changes in the country.

She said racist remarks had become more frequent and that some individuals appeared increasingly willing to express views that they may previously have kept private.

Healthcare representatives have warned that racism does not only harm staff members but can also affect patient care. A workplace where employees face harassment or discrimination can damage morale and make healthcare professionals feel unsupported.

Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy and member relations at the Society of Radiographers, said racism and discrimination have no place in the NHS.

He highlighted that the diversity of NHS employees is one of the organisation’s greatest strengths and called for stronger action to ensure staff are protected from abuse.

NHS survey shows discrimination from patients remains a concern

The latest NHS Staff Survey revealed that the proportion of employees experiencing discrimination from patients or service users has reached its highest level in five years.

Figures from the survey showed that 9.26 per cent of NHS staff reported experiencing discrimination from patients or service users in 2025. This compares with 9.25 per cent in 2024, 8.57 per cent in 2023, 8.38 per cent in 2022, and 7.91 per cent in 2021.

Although the figures represent a minority of NHS staff, healthcare leaders say every incident of racism is unacceptable.

Thomas Simons, chief human resources and organisational development officer at NHS England, said racist abuse towards NHS workers must not be tolerated.

He said NHS organisations have a responsibility to prevent discrimination, support affected employees, and ensure there are consequences for patients who engage in racist behaviour. In non-emergency situations, NHS organisations may consider refusing care where patients continue to racially abuse or discriminate against staff.

Calls for stronger reporting and accountability

The Society of Radiographers has called for better monitoring of racist incidents across the NHS. The organisation believes recording and reviewing these cases can help healthcare leaders understand the scale of the issue and improve responses.

Healthcare unions and professional bodies argue that staff should not have to accept racist abuse as simply part of their job. They say employees deserve the same respect and protection given to patients.

The NHS depends on a workforce made up of people from many different backgrounds. Healthcare professionals believe creating a safer and more inclusive workplace is essential not only for staff wellbeing but also for maintaining high standards of patient care.

As concerns over racism continue, NHS leaders are under pressure to strengthen policies, improve accountability, and ensure that every healthcare worker can carry out their role without facing discrimination.

Source

The Independent, including comments from the Society of Radiographers, NHS England representatives, NHS Staff Survey figures, and healthcare workers who shared their experiences.

Disclaimer

This article is written for informational and awareness purposes only. It summarises publicly reported information and does not represent the views of any individual, organisation, or healthcare body. Reported incidents are based on statements and survey responses provided by relevant sources. Readers should refer to official NHS publications and original reporting for the most up-to-date information.