Medical Protection: Healthcare staff should not go to work fearing racism and abuse
Post date: 04/08/2026 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 05/08/2026
Commenting on a survey by the Society of Radiographers which reveals that NHS staff have been experiencing increased racism from patients over the past 18 months -
Dr Rob Hendry, Chief Member Officer at Medical Protection, said:
"These findings should serve as a wake-up call. No healthcare worker should go to work in fear of racism and abuse, and we cannot allow this to be dismissed as just 'part of the job'.
“The NHS must take a zero-tolerance approach to racism and enforce it consistently. Staff need to know that when abuse occurs, it will be acted on swiftly and robustly with incidents investigated and perpetrators held accountable. Staff affected must also be well supported - the impact of racial abuse does not end when an incident is over. It can leave lasting scars on mental health, damage morale and wellbeing, and can potentially affect patient care.”
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