A study to explore the impact of racial abuse on staff in inpatient settings has identified several key themes.
The study, which was undertaken by Kate Law, Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Darshil Lathia, Assistant Psychologist at Elysium Farmfield Hospital in Surrey found that racial abuse was having a major impact on staff.
The research findings build on a study commissioned by NHS England, NHS Improvement and Health Education England in 2022 which found that 49% of respondents reported experiencing harassment or discrimination based on personal characteristics. Of this, 39% experienced discrimination from patients and 29% experienced discrimination from colleagues or managers.
Increase in racial abuse
As Farmfield has experienced a significant increase in reported incidents of racial abuse, they wanted to better understand this issue, with a focus on how racial abuse impacts on staff in inpatient settings.
Ten members of staff were recruited for the study from acute and forensic service and were encouraged to talk openly about their experiences. The participants opened up about the impact racial abuse had on their personal and professional confidence and identity, and they reported a lack of motivation to come to work.
The study also found that staff tended to downplay the impact racial abuse has on their wellbeing.
Following the research, Farmfield is taking steps to tackle the problem. Kate Law explains.
"We need to change the culture within the organisation, so that racial abuse is talked about, recorded and action is taken, and for our staff to feel supported and empowered to speak up and say that racial abuse is not acceptable.
"We have also started to work with patients to understand racial abuse and co-produce a solution.
"Whilst there is no easy solution or answer to this problem, our end goal is clear - we want a hospital where staff are free from racial abuse and harassment."