Anti-racism in the NHS

This page has been developed to help NHS organisations to tackle racism and ensure that staff feel supported by employers.
Medical staff in a meeting.

NHS Employers is an anti-racist organisation committed to helping organisations provide safe workplaces for all NHS staff. 

To help combat a rise in reports from NHS organisations of abuse and harassment aimed at staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, this hub collates key resources to help employers tackle racism at a local level and ensure staff feel protected and supported in the workplace.

Combatting racism is everyone’s job and through the Social Partnership Forum we will work closely with trade union colleagues to continue to support employers in this work.

SPF co-chairs statement

Following reports from NHS organisations highlighting a troubling increase in abuse and harassment aimed at staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, Helga Pile and Danny Mortimer, the trade union and employer co-chairs of the national Social Partnership Forum (SPF), have responded with the following statement:

"In the context of the increasing racial hostility currently being witnessed in our communities and the rising levels of abuse and harassment experienced by NHS staff, we commit to working in partnership to stand against hatred and discrimination, and value and celebrate the rich diversity of our staff and the wider population.  

"Hard-working staff from the UK and across the world form the backbone of the NHS and their safety and wellbeing is essential to the running of the health service.  

"We encourage regional and local partnership forums to focus on how best to help and protect staff through this period, to provide a safe working environment for all.”

Legal advice on handling the conduct of NHS staff outside the workplace

We have worked with our legal partners Capsticks to develop guidance on how to deal with employees who may have been involved in racist or criminal activity, either physically, or on social media.

View the guidance Arrow pointing right

Anti-racism resources

Workforce Race Equality Standard

Learn about the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and how NHS organisations can address race equality issues. Access the latest report.

Take a look at the standard Arrow pointing right

Race and Health Observatory anti-racism principles

An anti-racism film at Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Sign up to the Anti-racism bulletin

Published by our BME Leadership Network and issued four times per year, this bulletin supports the NHS Confederation's ongoing efforts in addressing racial inequality, showcasing innovation from both within the healthcare sector and more widely.

Sign up via the NHS Confederation Arrow pointing right