Unison launches anti-racism helpline

Thursday, 13 September 2007 12:00 AM

A new hotline has been launched to help NHS workers report and tackle racism.

Unison, the largest public services union, announced at the TUC Congress in Brighton a new service offering help and support to health service employees.

Callers will be directed to self-help groups and race equality councils and are encouraged to call whether racism comes from patients, relatives, other staff or members of the public.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary said: "Our hotline will give people somewhere to turn to and put them in touch with organisations where they can get much needed support and advice."

Unison has published the results of a survey of 2,000 of its black and minority ethnic NHS members, which found 69 per cent had experienced some form of racism at work.

Mr Prentis said the survey made for "shocking reading".

He continued: "We want to banish all forms of racism from our NHS. Our helpline will be open to anyone working, getting treatment or visiting any NHS facility."

Posters and stickers promoting the 'See Racism, Hear Racism, Report Racism', will be spread across the NHS.

The survey found, of those members who had experienced racism, 83 per cent were subject to verbal abuse, nine per cent physical and six per cent had suffered both.

Patients were the most likely to be racist, responsible for 61 per cent of incidents. However, nearly four in ten racist incidents were attributed to NHS managers.

A Unison member and dispatcher from London Ambulance Service claimed racism was an "everyday experience" in the health service.

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