A new survey from BMA Scotland finds that 64% of non-white doctors have either experienced or witnessed racism and that almost four in five remain unhappy with a complaint resolution.
Racism is still a harsh reality for many ethnic minority doctors in Scotland and almost two-thirds of them have experienced or witnessed incidents in the workplace.
A survey carried out by BMA Scotland shows an increase in reports of racist incidents since the survey was last carried out in 2021 and suggests many racist incidents are going unaddressed, perpetuating a workplace culture where racism remains underreported and unchallenged.
Ethnic minority doctors are also more likely to raise grievance complaints but be less satisfied with the outcome.
“[The report] shows that racism is clearly still far too common and serious an issue in the medical profession. Little has changed in the four years since we last carried out the survey – indeed, the findings suggest it is an issue which is getting worse,” said Sajid Farid, chair of BMA Scotland’s Race Equality Forum.
Far more has to be done
The survey found that almost two-thirds (64%) of non-white doctors have either experienced (41%) or witnessed (23%) incidents of racism. Among Asian doctors, the figures are higher, with 44% experiencing racism and 24% witnessing it.
This is an increase compared to the previous survey in 2021, when 62% of all non-white doctors reported they had either experienced (40%) or witnessed (22%) incidents of racism.
Only 11% of non-white doctors took the step to formally raise a complaint about a racist incident, a 6% decrease on the 2021 survey. Among those who filed workplace grievances, 41% were ethnic minorities compared to only 20% of white doctors. Almost four in five ethnic minority doctors who made a complaint (79%), however, reported dissatisfaction with their complaint resolutions, compared to 63% of white doctors.
“The findings of the survey show that far more has to be done to investigate and take action on complaints raised by non-white doctors regarding racist incidents, as well as other workplace issues. A zero-tolerance approach must be taken to discrimination and harassment, so that ethnic minority doctors, who are a vital part of the workforce in Scotland, feel valued and supported to have a long and fulfilling career in the NHS,” said Farid.
