Nurses have spoken about being punched in the face in racist attacks and told to “go back to the zoo”.
It comes as members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) voted for the union to develop a UK-wide programme to help build the confidence of staff to tackle racism.
This could include new training, guidance and support with reporting incidents.
Proposing the motion at the union’s annual congress in Liverpool, Ivy Tsetse, chairwoman of the RCN’s south-west London outer branch, told delegates: “I was told as a monkey to go back to the zoo on one of the occasions.
“I was told ‘I want somebody who speaks English to look after me’.
“This made my confidence very, very low, and I never dreamed to report anything.
“What mattered most in that moment was not just an incident itself, but whether there was confidence, support, and safety to address it, and too often that confidence simply is not there.”
Chinenye Ubah, of the RCN’s eastern region, told delegates she had been punched in the face by a patient.
She reported the incident to her manager in a morning handover, which was talked about, but Ms Ubah said: “We should go beyond discussing this.
“We need guidelines on how to recognise racism, we need support on what to do when racism is reported.”
Faridat Ibidun, who works as a nurse on the Isle of Man, said: “I’m a black woman… a few months ago I picked up the phone to call a patient… I said hello, I gave my name, and before I could even say one more word, he said, ‘you have the foreign accent. I don’t want to speak to you’.”
Ms Ibidun said she “made excuses” for the patient, but said racism sometimes “arrives in a tone, in a look, in a patient who asks for a different nurse”.
Ms Tsetse said while the RCN has “already begun important work” through its anti-racism action plan and resources, they are “not enough”.
It comes after the RCN revealed calls to its helpline from ethnic minority staff seeking advice after facing discrimination have risen by 70% in recent years.
General secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said there has been a “catastrophic rise in the racist abuse faced by nursing staff”, which she described as a “disgrace”.
Prof Ranger added: “Our members have shown incredible courage to speak out against the vile, racist abuse they are being subjected to.
“As an anti-racist organisation, we will leave no stone unturned in supporting nursing staff to challenge the racism they face in their workplaces.
“The reality is that many nursing staff have little faith in their employer to take meaningful action or even to take them seriously. NHS employers across the UK must be relentless in changing their cultures and create safe workplaces where nursing staff are supported to challenge, report, and speak out against racism.”
Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: “Racism against NHS staff is totally unacceptable – all local organisations must take a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, taking action including police involvement and criminal prosecution as appropriate.
“We would encourage any staff that experience or witness racist incidents to report them so that action can be taken.
“It is essential that all staff feel safe to speak up and confident that action will be taken, and the NHS has set out targeted action required by local organisations including reviewing disciplinary processes and providing protection and comprehensive psychological support for anyone reporting concerns.”
