Radiographers facing unacceptable abuse from patients, with some refusing to be seen by non-white staff members and making deeply offensive remarks.

Racist abuse from patients towards radiographers has increased over the past 18 months, according to a new survey.

Some patients refuse to be treated by non-white staff or don’t acknowledge the worker carrying out the vital task, according to the Society of Radiographers (SoR).

One radiographer was called “a monkey” by a patient, while others were referred to as “dirty foreigners”, the survey revealed.

Paul Awah, a diagnostic radiographer from Bedfordshire who originally moved to the UK from Nigeria, said patients had questioned his ability to treat them because of the colour of his skin.

Awah is experienced in cannulating patients and said colleagues often ask him to help with difficult procedures.

But on three occasions, patients questioned whether he had done the procedure before, after a colleague had been unable to carry it out.

“I was stunned,” he said. “They’re saying, ‘If somebody who’s Caucasian has tried and failed, how dare you bring a black man now?’”

Awah said he had also experienced people claiming they could not understand him, despite English being the only language he speaks.

The SoR said its members believed racist incidents had become more prevalent alongside a rise in anti-immigration rhetoric in the country.

Action needed

Matthew Hopkins, acute and ambulance director at the NHS Alliance, described the findings as “deeply disturbing and absolutely unacceptable”.

He said NHS leaders were committed to tackling racism and creating a tolerant and inclusive culture, while acknowledging that more needs to be done.

The SoR has collaborated with other unions to develop new NHS staff standards, which were published this month. The standards hold trusts accountable for tackling racism, violence and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Now, SoR is calling on NHS trusts to record incidents of racism, monitor how they are dealt with and work with trade unions where necessary.

There are currently no guidelines setting out what should happen after an incident of racism is recorded, according to SoR.

It also wants the NHS to improve the way new radiographers and other staff are inducted, orientated and integrated, whether they have moved nationally or internationally.

Around one in four radiographers registered with the Health and Care Professions Council trained overseas.

Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy and member relations at the SoR, said racist behaviour undermined patient care and called for “clear accountability” to ensure radiographers can work in a safe and inclusive environment.