NHS staff report rise in racist abuse from patients
NHS staff have reported an increase in racist abuse from patients over the past 18 months, according to a new report.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
NHS staff, particularly radiographers, have reported an increase in racist abuse from patients over the past 18 months, according to a new report by the Society of Radiographers. The union says its members have been called names such as 'dirty foreigners' and some patients have refused to be treated by non-white staff. NHS bosses have described the behaviour as completely unacceptable.
The report draws on accounts from radiographers working in both the NHS and private sector. One radiographer, Paul, who has worked in the UK for five years after more than 20 years in the profession, said he has experienced racism throughout. He described patients pretending not to understand him or looking at him with distrust. Other examples include patients complaining because of the colour of a staff member's skin, directing questions to a junior colleague instead of the more experienced radiographer, and a colleague being called a monkey.
Roughly one in four radiographers were trained overseas, and 90% of NHS patients are treated by them. The union's leader, Richard, said the findings may only be the tip of the iceberg and expressed concern that such abuse could discourage people from working in healthcare. 'We absolutely don't want people to feel that when they come to the UK that they won't be welcome,' he said.
Despite the abuse, Paul said he tries to stay positive, noting that many patients give good feedback that outweighs the bad experiences. The report comes alongside newly published NHS standards aimed at helping staff report incidents and ensuring employers take action. The hope is that these measures will allow people like Paul to practise in peace.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 |
|---|---|
| NHS bosses have called the abuse completely unacceptable. | |
| NHS staff reported a rise in racist abuse from patients over the last 18 months. | |
| One in four radiographers were trained overseas, and 90% of NHS patients are treated by them. | |
| Patients have used racial slurs and refused treatment by non-white staff. | |
| The union worries that racist abuse will discourage people from working in healthcare. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This channel gave a very brief, straight-to-the-point summary of the report, focusing on the key facts: the rise in racist abuse, specific examples of abuse, and the NHS response. It did not include any personal stories or detailed analysis, treating it as a short news item among other headlines.
- “Some NHS staff have reported a rise in racism from patients over the last 18 months.”
- “The Society of Radiographers says its members have been called things like dirty foreigners, and some patients have refused to be treated by non-white staff.”
- “NHS bosses called it completely unacceptable.”
This channel produced a longer, more human-interest focused report. It included a personal interview with a radiographer named Paul, who shared his experiences of racism, and gave a platform to the union leader to express concerns about the impact on recruitment. The tone was empathetic and highlighted both the problem and the positive feedback that some staff receive, ending on a note of cautious optimism about new NHS standards.
- “Radiographers are the medical professionals behind every X-ray or medical scan, as well as some cancer treatments, but while they look at their patients, what they sometimes get in return is racist abuse.”
- “English is the only language I speak. Sometimes when I'm trying to communicate with my patients, they pretend as if they don't understand what I'm saying.”
- “Roughly one in four radiographers were trained overseas, and 90% of NHS patients are treated by them.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.