Nurses may often recognise racism before they feel confident naming it. Building that confidence requires a combination of skills, ongoing support as well as an organisational culture that promotes psychological safety and restorative justice. The ability to ‘call-in’ acts of racism with the intention to educate, support accountability and maintain trusted relationships, is both labour-intensive and often fraught with personal risk.

The RCN has begun to develop an anti-racist action plan to tackle these issues and several resources to support members to discuss these issues are available on the RCN website (Royal College of Nursing, 2024).

Analysis of calls to the RCN in 2025 show that the issue of racism is increasing. Data reveals a 55% increase over three years in members calling to seek support after facing racial discrimination in the workplace.

According to the Kings Fund data from the latest NHS Staff survey in England racism is “deeply entrenched and disturbingly normalised” (Woolnough, 2026).

In Scotland, data from a University of Glasgow survey published in 2025 highlighted that around one-third (35%) of people in Scotland’s Black, Asian, and visible minority ethnic communities said they have faced discrimination within the past two years.

In Northern Ireland, health care leaders condemned the racist violence that took place in 2024. The Welsh Race Equality Action plan (2026) highlights the extent of work underway to protect staff from racist abuse and discrimination.

References

Department of Health (2025) Statement from Chief Professional Officers. Available at: health-ni.gov.uk/news/statement-chief-professional-officers (Accessed 26 March 2026).

Royal College of Nursing (2024) Taking time to talk: Advancing race equity in nursing and midwifery. Available at: rcn.org.uk/About-us/Equity-diversity-and-inclusion/Taking-time-to-talk (Accessed 26 March 2026).

Royal College of Nursing (2025) RCN reports 55% rise in members facing racist abuse. Available at: rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-rcn-reports-rise-in-members-facing-racist-abuse-271025 (Accessed 26 March 2026).

University of Glasgow (2025) UofG led survey shows that racial discrimination continues to rise in Scotland. Available at: gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2025/march/headline_1152919_en.html (Accessed 26 March 2026).

Welsh Government (2026) Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (ArWAP): Progress update. Available at: gov.wales/anti-racist-wales-action-plan-arwap-progress-update#192540 (Accessed 26 March 2026).

Woolnough S (2026) NHS staff survey shows racism deeply entrenched and disturbingly normalised. Available at: kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/press-releases/NHS-staff-survey-racism-disturbingly-normalised (Accessed 26 March 2026).