Nurses can refuse to treat racist patients, says Streeting
The UK health and social care secretary has said he was “appalled” by recent attacks on Filipino nurses during far-right riots and added that clinicians could – and should – turn away abusive patients.
In light of the comments by Wes Streeting, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has updated its guidance on refusing to treat a patient.
“I was appalled by reports of violence directed towards Filipino nurses in Sunderland”
Wes Streeting
The guidance now lists “when there is discriminatory behaviour, including racism” as one of the situations that may justify a nurse declining to give care. The new addition is the specific mention of racism.
According to reports by the Mirror, two Filipino nurses in Sunderland were travelling to work on Friday evening (2 August) when their taxis were targeted with rocks and missiles.
The nurses – who were allegedly being called in to provide emergency cover amid violent protests in the city – were said to have been left “terrified” but unharmed.
The riot in Sunderland was one of many that have broken out across the UK in response to a mass stabbing in Southport on 29 July in which three children were killed.
The subsequent disorder has been fuelled by racism and misinformation about the suspect’s identity including his religion and migration status.
Now, Mr Streeting has stressed that health and social care staff could turn away patients if they were being racist or abusive.
During a visit to the Leeds Cancer Centre, he told PA news agency: “The government will not tolerate the continuation of this mindless thuggery by far-right agitators in our country.
“I was appalled by reports of violence directed towards Filipino nurses in Sunderland – these were nurses going into work to provide emergency care and their attackers bring shame on our flag and shame on our country.”
“I’ve been horrified in the last week to see the appalling scenes across the country”
Nicola Ranger
He further said: “I will not tolerate, under any circumstances, NHS or social care staff in any health or care setting being subjected to intimidation, harassment or racist abuse.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy in the NHS and we’ll take a zero-tolerance approach in social care too.
“People who are abusing NHS staff can be turned away, and should be turned away, if that is the way that they are treating our staff.”
Mr Streeting went on to express his pride at the international staff working in NHS and social care services in the UK providing “great, compassionate care”.
The RCN said it had now updated its guidance on withdrawing care.
In a message to nurses, Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN general secretary and chief executive, said: “I’m sure like all of you, I’ve been horrified in the last week to see the appalling scenes across the country.
“Today, the health secretary has talked about his commitment to tackling any abuse of nursing staff and all health workers.
“Wes Streeting said that for him that this is grounds for turning away patients.”
However, she recognised that turning away a patient was “the most difficult decision” and that every patient interaction was unique.
She reiterated her demand for the government to ensure that anyone targeting nursing staff with abuse or violence “pays a very heavy price”.
“Hearing that nurses going to work in Sunderland came under attack is unforgivable,” added Professor Ranger.
