Racist abuse targeting nurses across the UK’s National Health Service has risen sharply in recent years, according to new figures released by the Royal College of Nursing, which warned that increasingly extreme views in politics and public discourse are contributing to a worsening climate for healthcare workers.
The union revealed that reported incidents of racist abuse against nurses jumped by 86% between 2022 and 2024, with thousands of frontline staff subjected to racial slurs, physical assaults and discriminatory treatment while working in hospitals and community healthcare settings.
The findings have renewed concerns about racism within Britain’s healthcare system and wider society, with nursing leaders warning that the problem is becoming increasingly normalised and underreported.
Healthcare unions, NHS leaders and ministers are now facing growing pressure to strengthen protections for NHS staff, improve reporting systems and take tougher action against perpetrators of racist abuse.
Thousands of Racist Incidents Reported Across NHS
According to data obtained by the Royal College of Nursing through Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts and health boards, nurses across the UK reported 6,812 racist incidents in 2024.
That figure represents a major increase compared with the 3,652 incidents recorded in 2022.
The union said the real number of cases is likely to be far higher because many NHS organisations do not properly record incidents and many nurses remain reluctant to report abuse.
Among the incidents disclosed were several serious allegations involving both patients and healthcare staff.
One nurse was allegedly called a monkey by a colleague, while another had a hot drink thrown at them before being subjected to racial insults.
Other nurses reported being called the N-word or targeted because of their ethnicity or religion.
In one case, the family of a patient reportedly told hospital staff they did not want black nurses caring for their daughter.
Another NHS worker allegedly shouted at a colleague: “We don’t have people of your colour here.”
The Royal College of Nursing said many incidents also involved Islamophobic abuse directed at Muslim healthcare workers.
One nurse observing Ramadan while praying during a shift was reportedly targeted with anti-Muslim abuse, while another nurse was physically assaulted and racially abused by patients.
Union Warns of “Normalisation” of Extreme Views
Nicola Ranger, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said the sharp rise reflects broader changes in British society.
She warned that individuals holding racist views appear increasingly emboldened because of what she described as the normalisation of more extreme rhetoric in politics and parts of the media.
“These figures show a catastrophic rise in the racist abuse faced by nursing staff,” Ranger said.
She added that while racism has always existed, public attitudes appear to be worsening, making minority ethnic healthcare workers feel increasingly unsafe.
The RCN also criticised NHS organisations for failing to collect accurate data on racist abuse.
Dozens of NHS trusts reportedly either failed to provide figures, claimed they did not hold the data or produced what the union described as implausibly low numbers.
Ranger accused some healthcare organisations of effectively operating a “don’t know, don’t care” approach to racism within the NHS.
NHS Staff Facing Growing Safety Concerns
The issue has become part of wider concerns about discrimination and abuse directed at healthcare workers across Britain.
Healthcare leaders say racism has become a growing challenge not only inside hospitals but also in community healthcare environments.
Some NHS staff working outside hospitals reportedly now fear entering certain neighbourhoods because of hostile behaviour and racist intimidation.
Last year, Wes Streeting warned that racism resembling attitudes seen during the 1970s and 1980s was re-emerging in parts of British society.
Kate Jarman, director of corporate affairs at Milton Keynes University Hospital, recently described the situation as a “rising tide of racism” affecting NHS staff.
The Royal College of Nursing also revealed that calls to its support and advice services from ethnic minority nurses seeking help over racial discrimination increased by 70% between 2022 and 2025.
Healthcare unions argue that racist abuse is contributing to stress, burnout and retention problems across the NHS workforce.
NHS Workforce Already Under Pressure
The growing racism concerns come as the NHS continues facing major staffing shortages, rising patient demand and increasing pressure on frontline services.
Britain’s healthcare system has struggled with recruitment and retention challenges for years, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic increased workloads and stress levels across the sector.
Ethnic minority staff make up a substantial proportion of the NHS workforce, particularly in nursing and frontline care roles.
According to NHS workforce statistics, overseas-born and minority ethnic healthcare workers remain critical to maintaining services across hospitals, care settings and emergency departments.
Healthcare leaders warn that rising discrimination risks undermining recruitment efforts and worsening workforce shortages.
The NHS already faces persistent staffing gaps in many specialties, with nursing vacancies remaining a major concern across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Calls for Stronger Reporting and Enforcement
Dean Royles said abuse directed at NHS staff because of race or religion remains completely unacceptable.
He stated that NHS organisations are working to strengthen measures aimed at tackling racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia within healthcare settings.
NHS Employers confirmed that a national reporting system is planned to improve monitoring and accountability surrounding racist incidents.
Meanwhile, Duncan Burton said NHS organisations must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to racial abuse.
He said healthcare providers should involve police and pursue criminal prosecutions when necessary.
Burton also urged NHS staff to report incidents and reassured workers that stronger support systems and disciplinary measures are being developed.
The NHS said local organisations are being encouraged to review disciplinary procedures, improve staff protection and expand psychological support services for victims of abuse.
BBC Figures Suggest Problem Is Even Larger
Separate figures obtained by the BBC through Freedom of Information requests suggested the scale of the problem may be even greater.
Data from 106 NHS trusts in England showed reported racist incidents increased from 7,002 in 2023 to 8,235 in 2024 alone, representing a 17% rise in just one year.
Campaigners say the increasing number of cases demonstrates the urgent need for national action to protect healthcare workers.
Nursing leaders also warned that racism within the NHS could damage staff morale, reduce workforce retention and undermine patient care if stronger action is not taken.