BME leaders reported abuse or behaviour that targeted their racial, national or cultural heritage.
According to a new report, half of black and minority ethnic (BME) leaders are looking to leave the NHS.
Despite years of trying to tackle the issues of racism across the health service, there has only been very limited success.
A national survey carried out by the NHS Confederation’s BME Leadership Network found that many senior leaders from BME backgrounds had experienced verbal abuse and behaviour; targeting their racial, national or cultural heritage at least once in the last three years.
More than 1 in 5 respondents, ranging from roles including chief executives, directors and senior managers, said that this unacceptable behaviour had happened to them five times or more.
A massive 58 per cent admitted that the pandemic had impacted their experiences of or exposure to racism in the workplace, suggesting a direct link between increased pressures on healthcare services and the treatment of staff.
Only 1 in 10 BME leaders said they were confident that the NHS is delivering on its commitment to combat institutional racism.
Some uncomfortable truths.
Responding to the results of the survey, Director of Equality and Partnerships Joan Saddler said: “The NHS is at risk of losing committed, highly skilled and motivated talent to institutional discrimination and racism. It is high time we move … to targeted and sustained action to address this deep-rooted systemic problem.
“The NHS has a more diverse workforce than ever before, including those in senior leadership positions. While this progress should be celebrated, it also shows why targeted and urgent action is needed now to support our BME leaders to thrive and survive.
“The NHS – nationally, locally and regionally – must prioritise supporting its BME leaders to feel safe from discrimination in the workplace so we can make the NHS the employer of choice and support them even more to do their vital roles.”
NHS Confederation Chief Executive Matthew Taylor added, “The findings from our survey are stark but … real change starts with honesty and if we want the NHS to be a learning organisation, that means knowing when to deliver some uncomfortable truths.”
The findings follow General Sir Gordon Messenger’s review, which concluded that much more action is needed to create a more diverse leadership across the health service.
