Responding to Lord Mann’ s review into antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said:
“Today's renewed focus on tackling antisemitism and all forms of racism in the NHS is much needed. It’s absolutely essential that staff are safe at work, but the reality is racism in the NHS is on the rise, as is violence, aggression and sexual harassment. That these behaviours have become so normalised is alarming.
“Employers have a legal duty and a moral obligation to protect staff, patients and the public. New national guidance to support them to tackle racism with consistency is an important step. But what's just as important is a commitment from ministers to hold health leaders accountable for rooting it out and making their workplaces safe. Key to that will be introducing a standardised method of recording incidents of racial abuse. We cannot hope to stamp out racism in our health service without knowing its true scale or whether any actions are having an impact.
“The true test of these measures outlined today will be if staff and patients alike start to feel safer and more welcome in our NHS.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Racism allowed to ‘flourish’ in NHS says RCN, as tens of thousands of nursing staff report 78% surge in racist abuse - 19 May 2026
According to FOI requests sent to NHS trusts and health boards in the UK by the RCN, incidents of racist abuse reported by nursing staff over the last four years have increased by 78%.
Calls to the RCN advice line from ethnic minority nursing staff across the UK, seeking advice after being racially abused or discriminated against in the workplace, have risen by 70% between 2022 and 2025.
