Nurses must ‘stand together’ against discrimination, says CNO

England’s chief nursing officer (CNO) has condemned racist intimidation of nurses and has urged the workforce to ‘stand together’ to ensure all staff and patients feel safe and respected.

Duncan Burton pointed to an increase in ‘public debates and tensions’ – including protest marches and the erection of thousands of St George’s flags across towns and cities in what some are seeing as an anti-immigration intimidation tactic.

The CNO said many colleagues had been impacted by these escalating tensions and had faced ‘racism, discrimination and intimidation’.

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‘This is completely unacceptable’, he added.

Mr Burton also noted the recent terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester, which he recognised as ‘deeply shocking’.

‘I know how distressing this has been for many colleagues, and my thoughts and condolences are with our Jewish colleagues, their families and friends, and all those working in and around Manchester,’ the CNO said.

He added: ‘Now, more than ever, we must stand together to ensure that everyone – whether delivering care or receiving it – feels safe, respected, and supported – and where we see behaviours that aren’t right, we must continue to call them out.’

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Last month, the Royal College of Nursing revealed that its advice line for nursing staff had seen a ‘shocking surge’ in complaints of racism at work.

 The RCN also recently signed a joint statement with other health unions, urging politicians to put an end to a ‘sustained campaign of anti-migrant rhetoric’.

In June, data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) found that overseas nurse recruitment had fallen for the first time in six years.

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Last summer, some Filipino nurses had rocks thrown at them on their way to deliver emergency care cover in Sunderland.

In the same period, some GP practices were forced to close early to protect staff including general practice nurses (GPNs) following a series of intimidation and threats.