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RCM says it is time to stop discrimination of BAME NHS staff in its tracks   

on 21 October 2020 RCM Maternity Services Covid-19 BAME Race matters Staffing Levels BME staff NHS Staff NMC - Nursing and Midwifery Council

We must drive out any discrimination against black, Asian, and other minority ethnic (BAME) midwives and nurses, says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), welcoming a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) report.  

Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “We know from our own research that BAME staff are more likely to be treated unequally in the workplace. This report shows, sadly, some of the challenges they face to be treated fairly and equally. This is one of the reasons the RCM has its Race Matters initiative, which will be a golden thread running through everything we do, to challenge head on the inequalities faced by many midwives, and maternity support workers. Systems discriminate, people discriminate, and the result is individuals, our colleagues, going through the trauma of a process that perhaps should have not happened in the first place.”  

The NMC report on its processes found that midwives and nurses from a black and minority ethnic background are more likely to be referred to fitness to practise by employers. Black midwives and nurses are also more likely to see their case go to the adjudication stage.  

Gill Walton added, “Discrimination, prejudice and outright racism are a real and daily reality for many BAME NHS staff. It blights lives and can have a terrible impact on their mental and physical health and on their working and family life.  The pandemic has, sometimes tragically, highlighted this in other ways also. It is time to stop it in its tracks and ensure all staff are protected, supported and treated the same, no matter what the colour of their skin or their race.”  

ENDS 

To contact the RCM media office call 020 7312 3456 or email [email protected].   Notes to Editors  

For information on the RCM’s Race Matters campaign visit https://www.rcm.org.uk/supporting/race-matters/.   

The full NMC report can be accessed at https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/edi-docs/nmc_edi_research_full.pdf.   

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.  

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