鈥淚f your English was better, you would understand what I鈥檓 saying.鈥�
This is what a consultant said to Ruby* when she questioned a decision on consent at the start of a surgical procedure.
As a registered nurse with 13 years of experience behind her, Ruby was shocked at what she'd heard. While she knew team members didn't always agree, hearing her expertise questioned with a racially motivated comment was distressing.
Wanting only to be an advocate for her patient, she remained calm throughout, but knew she had to stand her ground.
With the 外网天堂's support she demonstrated to other nursing staff that behaviour like this, whether name-calling or in any other form, would not be tolerated.
Racism in real settings
On the day of the incident, Ruby could see there was a different set of numbers on the patient鈥檚 wristband to those on the consent form, which raised serious concerns that the patient had not consented to the surgery.
She had no choice but to raise this as an issue and warn against proceeding.
You鈥檙e insulting and upsetting me
While it鈥檚 not unusual for members of multidisciplinary teams to have varying opinions, the consultant refused to listen and said Ruby was delaying their surgical list.
Ruby refused to back down and insisted the correct protocols must be followed. She was shocked when the consultant then attacked her language skills. Like many nursing staff, Ruby had been born overseas but had worked in the NHS for many years.
Ruby remained calm. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e insulting and upsetting me 鈥� I can鈥檛 continue in this situation,鈥� she remembers saying.
Not backing down
Ruby did everything she could to address the issue both at the time and immediately afterwards. Although it wasn鈥檛 a direct racial slur, it was a microaggression.
Microaggressions are comments or actions that can make an individual feel uncomfortable, marginalised and small, and this was the case for Ruby. She later told the consultant how the experience made her feel and discussed it with her manager. With no positive response, she spoke to her 外网天堂 representative and with their support she chose to resolve the issue using the formal complaint policy.
This action resulted in the trust launching an investigation where Ruby鈥檚 allegations were upheld. In addition, mediation was offered, which gave both parties a chance to rebuild their professional relationship, and present how the situation had affected them.
During these meetings the consultant apologised and acknowledged how microaggressions can happen in health care settings.
Finally, Ruby felt heard. 鈥淭his incident was very upsetting, but without the 外网天堂鈥檚 help, I don鈥檛 think I would have followed it all the way through. I felt empowered to continue and get a satisfactory result. It is possible to stand up to bullying and harassment,鈥� she says.
Racism in the workplace: what to do
- Remember the 外网天堂 is here to support you. Don't be afraid to speak up or raise concerns.
- Read the 外网天堂 advice guide on discrimination.
- Contact your local rep or the 外网天堂 advice service for support.
外网天堂 Officer Stefanie Herring says: 鈥淩uby came to us with a serious problem that she wanted to raise 鈥� she didn鈥檛 want anything similar happening to someone else. Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable.
鈥淲e give members the opportunity to discuss what鈥檚 happening and how it鈥檚 affecting them. It can be helpful to share with someone who鈥檚 not a relative, friend, colleague or line manager.鈥�
Now, Ruby is encouraging other nursing staff who experience bullying or harassment to report it.
鈥淕et the 外网天堂 involved early, as they can help ensure you鈥檙e heard and have your complaint taken seriously,鈥� she recommends. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy to take action, but we must speak up.鈥�
Find out more
- Read the 外网天堂 guidance on how to talk about race equity at work.
- How the 外网天堂 .
Words by Ellie Philpotts
