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Patients have tried to punch me because of my skin colour
A nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital describes repeated racial abuse from patients, including verbal slurs and occasional physical attempts. The article also cites national data on racist incidents in healthcare and notes government steps announced in 2025 to protect frontline staff.
Why It Matters
The piece highlights ongoing racial abuse faced by healthcare workers, the scale of the issue across trusts, and government and campaign responses intended to improve safety and reporting.
Timeline
4 Events
May 12, 2026: Article Published
May 12, 2026
The article titled 'Patients have tried to punch me because of my skin colour' reports nurse Tito Vicario's experiences at Sunderland Royal Hospital, detailing verbal and physical abuse from patients, an incident involving a racial slur and a remorseful family, and another incident where a patient refused medication. It also notes the national data on racism in healthcare (8,235 reports in 2024 vs 7,002 in 2023 from 106 trusts), concerns about underreporting (Equality 4 Black Nurses founder Neomi Bennett), and mentions that a 2025 government package and reporting measures aim to centralise data and protect staff.
2025: Government review and protection package announced
2025
The Department of Health and Social Care announced in 2025 a review into antisemitism and other forms of racism, alongside a protection package to shield frontline staff from violence and aggression.
2024: Reports rise to 8,235 in 106 trusts
2024
In 2024, 8,235 such reports were recorded from the trusts that provided data, a 17% increase on 2023's figure of 7,002.
2023: Reports of racism in healthcare recorded at 7,002
2023
The article states that, from the trusts providing data, there were 7,002 reports of racist incidents in 2023.