White NHS nurses are twice as likely to be promoted as their black and Asian counterparts- study says

• Aparna Sreevalsan
• 9 June, 2022

Racism is ‘endemic’ in health and care, according to research from the Royal College of Nursing.

NEW research has discovered white nurses are twice as likely to be promoted in the NHS than black and Asian colleagues, with minority ethnic employees being ignored owing to systemic racism.

According to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) study, nurses who are white or of mixed ethnicity are more likely than black and Asian colleagues to have obtained at least one promotion since beginning their careers.

Bruno Daniel, the RCN’s diversity and equalities coordinator said: “Examples of racism experienced by nursing staff in the workplace are deeply shocking. The pandemic has shone a spotlight on structural racism in health and care services and we must seize this opportunity to stamp out this vile behaviour once and for all.

“The UK government and devolved administrations must properly acknowledge and address this problem and the devastating impact it has on black and ethnic minority staff and patients.”

The study involved almost 10,000 nursing staff and released the report at its annual convention in Glasgow, showing the disparity is most pronounced among people aged 35 to 44.

In this age group, 65.9 per cent of white respondents and 64 per cent of mixed ethnic respondents claimed they had been promoted, whereas just38.3 per cent of Asian and 35.2 per cent of black respondents said they had been promoted.

RCN demanded that the government take measures to combat racism, such as a legislative mandate for companies to remove gaps in recruitment, retention, and career advancement, or a stronger duty for employers to safeguard minority ethnic groups.