英国NHS放射线技师协会的一项调查表明，在过去18个月内，放射线技师遭遇患者明显增加的种族歧视现象[1]。该调查涉及381名放射线技师参与，揭示出被辱骂、遭拒绝接受黑人和亚洲医护人员服务等情况[1]。NHS种族和卫生观察站首席执行官Prof Habib Naqvi指出，这些行为"在我们多元化劳动力中制造了真实的恐惧、创伤和焦虑"[1]。
最新数据凸显问题的严重性。NHS员工调查显示，五分之一的黑人和少数族裔员工报告遭患者或公众虐待、骚扰，而白人员工仅为二十分之一[1]。皇家护理学院10月的报告也表明，其成员在三年内遭遇种族歧视事件增加55%[1]。放射线技师Paul Awah举例称，患者装作听不懂他的英语，尽管英语是他的第一语言[1]。
对此，NHS英格兰采取了强硬态度。NHS英格兰人力资源主管Thomas Simon表示将实施国家员工标准并确保有明确后果，包括在非紧急情况下拒绝为辱骂员工的患者提供医疗服务这一选项[1]。NHS英格兰高管强调这类行为完全不可接受，将推行零容忍政策[1]。
NHS radiographers in Britain have experienced a marked increase in overt racist abuse from patients over the past 18 months, according to a survey by the Society of Radiographers.[1] The investigation, which included responses from 381 radiographers, documented incidents ranging from verbal insults to patients refusing treatment from Black and Asian healthcare staff.[1] The findings align with broader patterns of discrimination affecting the NHS workforce, with data from the Royal College of Nursing showing a 55 percent rise in reported racist incidents among its members over three years.[1]
The scale of the problem extends beyond radiography. Recent NHS staff surveys reveal that one in five Black and minority ethnic employees report experiencing abuse or harassment from patients or members of the public, compared to one in twenty white staff members.[1] Paul Awah, a 39-year-old radiographer from Nigeria who has worked in the NHS for five years, described patients feigning inability to understand his English despite it being his first language.[1] According to Prof Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, such behaviour has created genuine fear, trauma, and anxiety within the diverse workforce.[1]
NHS England has committed to addressing the issue through a national zero-tolerance approach. Thomas Simon, head of people operations at NHS England, stated that the organisation will implement national staff standards with clear consequences, including the option to refuse non-emergency care to patients engaging in racist abuse.[1] Officials at NHS England have declared such conduct completely unacceptable and pledged to enforce stricter accountability measures across the system.[1]