Nurses are set to stage a protest outside the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) headquarters over serious concerns around racism, bullying and discrimination at the regulator.
The support group Equality 4 Black Nurses (E4BN) will lead a ‘peaceful demonstration’ on 17 July to ‘demand immediate reforms and advocate for a fair and inclusive environment’ for all healthcare professionals.
It comes in response to findings within the NMC independent culture review which exposed a ‘hotbed of bullying, racism and toxic behaviour’ at the regulator.
Founder of E4BN Neomi Bennett said the protest was being held to ‘demand justice, equality, and fair treatment for Black nurses and all healthcare professionals’.
She said the findings of the NMC review ‘exposed deeply entrenched issues of systemic racism, bullying, and discrimination that must be addressed immediately’.
‘We call on the NMC to implement robust anti-racist measures, ensure fair disciplinary practices, and create a supportive environment where every nurse can thrive,’ she added.
‘This protest is a crucial step in amplifying our voices and pushing for the change that is long overdue.’
The damning review, led by former public prosecutor Nazir Afzal, with Rise Associates, revealed ‘multiple accounts of clumsy and ignorant remarks’ being directed towards minority ethnic staff.
It found that staff from minority ethnic backgrounds were also ‘held back and treated differently’ and that this was shown through ‘bullying, double standards regarding opportunities and discrimination’.
In addition, the report said there were examples where colleagues on recruitment panels expressed racist views towards candidates.
The review cited one colleague who was alleged to have said ‘look at the rubbish we’ve got today’ as they looked through a list of foreign sounding names. The colleague had added: ‘How are we supposed to appoint anyone from this garbage?’
In another example, one staff member who said they had an Indian name recalled being told their name was ‘very difficult and did I have a shortened version?’.
NMC lawyers also claimed there had been ‘mishandling’ of fitness to practise (FtP) cases relating to racism, as well as sexual assault.
According to the report, one lawyer said: ‘Racism cases are dropped in screening because it’s outside of the workplace and the view is, and I’m obviously paraphrasing, that “people are free to be racist in their own time” because they are not involving patients.’
Previously, figures from the NMC have shown that black nurses are more likely to be referred to the NMC for FtP concerns.
Separately, data from NHS England showed earlier this year that women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds working in registered nursing and midwifery roles are facing ‘especially high’ rates of discrimination and bullying from their colleagues.
The NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) for 2023 also showed white applicants were ‘significantly more likely’ than minority ethnic colleagues to be appointed into a role from shortlisting. And just 39% of staff from a black background felt their trust provided ‘equal opportunities for career progression or promotion’.
An NMC spokesperson said: ‘We’re very sorry to anyone who feels they’ve experienced racism or discrimination within our regulatory processes. Nazir Afzal’s recommendations will help move the NMC towards achieving racial equity.
‘Every nurse, midwife and nursing associate on our register deserves no less. It’s paramount that professionals feel respected, valued and supported in their role so they can deliver the best care possible for people.’
The protest is being supported by various grassroots groups and will be held outside NMC headquarters in London on Wednesday 17 July from 12 noon to 5pm.
