Protected characteristics: race

Racial discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently because of their race in one of the situations addressed in the Equality Act 2010. The treatment might be a one-off action or the result of a rule or policy that is based on race. It does not have to be intentional to be unlawful (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2020).

Healthcare professionals must take action to identify and address racism. Accountability, underpinned by the right processes, is key to achieving this. In partnership with NHS Confederation and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NHS England has produced a resource supporting nursing and midwifery professionals working in the NHS to combat racism (NHS, 2022). There are four key areas that make up the nursing and midwifery anti-racism resource framework, these are:

1. Challenging racism
2. Caring and belonging
3. Challenging leadership
4. Authentic inclusion (NHS, 2022)

Challenging racism

Challenge racism from people being cared for or