Medical Director joins sporting stars to say: Show Racism in the NHS the Red Card

1 May 2020

The Medical Director of Shropshire’s acute hospitals has joined sporting stars such as Gary Lineker, Monty Panesar, Chris Kamara, Wes Morgan and Andy Robertson to call for racism to be given the red card in the NHS.

Dr Arne Rose, Medical Director at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, features in a new video released today by the charity Show Racism the Red Card.

The video, which can be seen here follows the stories of frontline NHS staff as they recount their experience of racial discrimination at work.

The charity is dedicated to combating racism in society through education, and utilises the high-profile status of football and football players to publicise its message. After survey findings showed that 11% of people have experienced racist behaviour at work, it knew it needed to take action.

Arne said: “Racism is, sadly, an ongoing issue in the NHS. At this incredibly unusual time, dealing with coronavirus pandemic, we are all coming to appreciate how much value immigrants and people from different ethnic backgrounds bring to the NHS.

“Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told NHS staff that any patients wishing to be treated by a white doctor ‘must be told no’, and that management ‘must and will always back you up.’ That is absolutely my stance and the stance of my colleagues at SaTH.”

Yvonne Coghill, Director in the Workforce Race Equality Standard Implementation Team for NHS England, said: “Since its inception in 1948 the NHS has been dependent on its BME workforce to deliver care and services to the population of this country.”

The project hopes to highlight that racism within the NHS remains an issue that cannot be ignored, with its survival dependent on its black and minority ethnic (BME) workforce.

Yvonne added: “We are proud that the NHS is one of the most diverse organisations in the country, with one in five of the workforce being from a background other than white British. The contribution that this group of people makes to enable our NHS to be the best healthcare organisation in the world cannot be underestimated, never more than now during the Covid-19 crisis.

“It is incumbent on all of us, whoever we are and whatever background we are from to stand up to and call out any kind of discrimination or racism in our service.”

Of those reported to have experienced racism whilst at work in the NHS, 34% said the racism was frequent or regular, whilst 10% said it occurred weekly or even daily. And most worryingly, almost one in 10 (8.8%) of those who answered, left their jobs as a consequence of the racism they experienced.

The NHS has already made marked progress in its fight against discrimination in the workplace and its support for those discriminated against. In 2019, Health Secretary Matt Hancock penned a letter to NHS staff in which he stated that any patients wishing to be treated by a white doctor ‘must be told no’, and that management ‘must and will always back you up.’

Tosca Fairchild, Chair of Show Racism the Red Card and Assistant Chief Executive Officer of North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Racism is an issue that sadly continues to exist in today’s society and it the responsibility is upon all of us to challenge and fight it.

“As Chair of Show Racism the Red Card and Assistant CEO in the NHS, it is a privilege to bring the two organisations together in a collaboration to highlight and challenge racism in the NHS.

“I have worked in the NHS for a long time and not only experienced racism myself but have also seen the devastating effects it has on hard working colleagues from a BAME background.  The NHS is dependent on its workforce and simply cannot deliver the high quality care it does without its diverse workforce.

“We only need to look at the staff demographics being highlighted during COVID-19 to appreciate how diverse the NHS workforce is and how NHS staff from a BAME background contribute and dedicate their lives to the NHS – to care for the people of the United Kingdom; with some sadly paying the ultimate price and losing their lives.

“It is my hope that through this work, we will all challenge racism in the NHS, honour those that have lost their lives and remember them when the new normal is here.

“We must remember that the NHS needs its diverse BAME workforce.  Remember that BAMEs working in the NHS contribute to the NHS. Remember that BAME staff in the NHS are humans. We are all humans.  We are the human race.  Show love not hate. Show racism the red card in the NHS.”

Gary Lineker, former professional footballer and current sports broadcaster, said: “It’s easy to target and blame immigrants for the problems of this country, when we all know they’ve contributed a hell of a lot.

“Would the NHS survive without immigrants filling some of those jobs? Would we have enough nurses or doctors? No.”

Scotland captain and Liverpool Champions League winner Andy Robertson, ex-England cricketer Monty Panesar, Leicester City Captain and Premier League winner Wes Morgan and well-known pundit and former footballer Chris Kamara have also produced videos in support of the initiative.

Ged Grebby, Chief Executive at Show Racism the Red Card, said: “SRtRC is dedicated to tackling racism and promoting change in society through education. With this short film, we’re hoping we can again contribute to a discussion around combating rife racism in society – this time in the NHS.

“With BAME communities forming part of the backbone of our Health Service, and with the Health Service being integral to our society, we felt compelled to raise awareness around the discrimination suffered here.”

Wes Morgan, Captain of Leicester City, added: “The NHS is one of our most treasured British institutions and I am sure all would join me in thanking NHS workers for their heroic efforts both before and during the current Covid-19 crisis.

“NHS workers, like all of us, should not be subject to racism and deserve a workplace that is free from prejudice. Let’s all join together to Show Racism the Red Card and support our key workers.”

The NHS are committed to supporting equality amongst its workforce and stamping out any discrimination faced by its staff.

Ged added: “We were delighted to have the support of the NHS to produce this short film – and it’s particularly pertinent given the current pandemic. We hope we can encourage a model of good practice that can be adopted in wider society.