UNISON, the UK’s largest health union, today called on the NHS to
identify ways of stopping racial harassment of overseas nurses.
In a UNISON survey of 612 Filipino nurses working in the NHS,
27% said they had been abused or harassed because of their
colour.
A third (33%) said they intended to continue nursing in the UK for
10 years and nearly 30% wanted to stay 15 years or more.
UNISON Head of Nursing, Gail Adams said:
“We are delighted that so many Filipino nurses like working in the
NHS and want to continue to do so but the number reporting racial
harassment has risen. This is a worrying trend and we don’t
believe it is isolated to overseas nurses.
“While we recognise steps have already been taken by the
Department of Health to tackle the problem, we believe that by
working together we can do more to eradicate it.”
UNISON is also calling on the NHS to address how to accredit
previous skills and experience, and build stronger career
pathways for overseas nurses.
When they complete their adaptation course, they commence as D
Grades.
Gail Adams added:
“The majority of these nurses are highly skilled with years of
expertise in specialist areas, often at a senior level. We have to
find ways of accrediting this and harnessing their skills to ensure
that they are valued and can progress further in their careers.”
In other survey findings:
72% oppose a moratorium on Filipino nurses coming to work in
the UK
85% found the adaptation course useful
90% would recommend working in the NHS to a friend in the
Philippines
65% of unionised Filipino nurses are members of UNISON; 35%
are members of the RCN
The worst things about nursing in the UK were listed as:
Weather, food and discrimination
The best things about nursing in the UK were listed as:
Pay and independence
ENDS
