Racist abuse against NHS nurses has surged by 86% in recent years, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) blaming the normalisation of extreme views in politics and the media. Figures obtained by the RCN show that nurses across the UK reported 6,812 incidents of racist abuse last year, a significant increase from 3,652 incidents in 2022.
Disturbing Incidents Reported
The RCN disclosed harrowing examples of abuse. One nurse was called a monkey by a colleague, while another had a hot drink thrown at them by a patient, followed by racial slurs. Several nurses reported being called the N-word. In one case, a patient's family stated they did not want black nurses caring for their daughter. Another NHS worker shouted at a nurse: "We don't have people of your colour here."
Underreporting and Lack of Action
The RCN warned that the figures are likely just "the tip of the iceberg" due to poor recording by the health service and reluctance among nurses to report abuse. It remains unclear how many incidents were reported to the police or led to consequences, such as perpetrators being directed to seek care elsewhere.
Union Leader Condemns Rise
Prof Nicola Ranger, RCN general secretary and chief executive, described the rise as "catastrophic." She stated that while racism has always existed, "those who hold these views have become more emboldened in recent times," reflecting "a further breakdown in societal norms, in part fed by more extreme views being normalised in the mainstream and across media."
Broader Context of Racism in the NHS
The findings align with recent warnings from NHS leaders. Former health secretary Wes Streeting noted last November that NHS staff are bearing the brunt of a return to "ugly" racism reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s. An NHS trust boss reported that some community staff fear certain areas have become "no-go zones" due to displays of St George's flags.
The number of ethnic minority nurses seeking help from the RCN's advice line after experiencing racial abuse or discrimination rose by 70% during 2022-2025. Incidents include a nurse observing Ramadan who faced Islamophobia while praying on shift, and another who was punched in the eye and racially abused by patients.
Criticism of NHS Data Collection
Ranger criticised NHS trusts and health boards for failing to track incidents adequately, calling it a policy of "don't know, don't care." Dozens of organisations did not keep data on racist incidents, while others provided "implausibly low figures" or refused to release any data. She accused health chiefs of "failing in their duty to keep [staff] safe at work."
Dean Royles, interim chief executive of NHS Employers, acknowledged the outrage and stated that NHS care providers are committed to tackling racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. He added that plans are underway to introduce a national reporting system to monitor the problem.
BBC Investigation Reveals Even Higher Numbers
A recent BBC freedom of information request uncovered even more reports in England alone. Data from 106 trusts showed incidents rose from 7,002 in 2023 to 8,235 in 2024—a 17% increase in one year.
Duncan Burton, NHS England's chief nursing officer, emphasised that racism against NHS staff is "totally unacceptable" and urged local organisations to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, including police involvement and criminal prosecution where appropriate. He encouraged staff to report incidents, ensuring they feel safe to speak up and confident that action will be taken.
