NMC condemns racism after nurse allegedly abused and says she will leave NHS

Apple Moorhouse, who moved to the UK from the Philippines, was in the park with a child as she walked through Manor Health Park on Thursday, last week.

A video, circulating online, allegedly shows a man and a woman making racial comments towards a woman and a child in the park.

A man is seen throwing water at the woman and appears to ask her if she arrived in the UK by crossing the English Channel in a boat.

The incident follows concerns that racism and racial discrimination may be on the rise across the four countries of the UK following a summer of tensions.

Almost a third of the 853,000 nursing and midwifery professionals working across the four countries of the UK – 277,716 – are Black, Asian or minority ethnic.

Far too many of them already experience some forms of discrimination in the workplace, either from patients or colleagues, and now there is the risk they will increasingly experience discrimination outside the workplace as well.

NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Paul Rees MBE, said:

“Along with their colleagues, Black, Asian and minority ethnic nursing and midwifery professionals form the backbone of the NHS and other health services.

“They help to deliver health and care services that all members of the public will need at some stage in their lives – with everyone benefiting from their knowledge, skills, experience and compassion.

“And yet these professionals, who go to work every day to make our lives better, are often experiencing racism and other forms of discrimination that sadly persist in society.

“The alleged attack on Apple Moorhouse was shocking and disgraceful.

“The NMC stands four square against racism and other forms of discrimination and urges everyone to ensure that – while tensions may rise over certain issues – we all treat others, including nursing and midwifery professionals with respect at all times, and show allyship to Black, Asian and minority ethnic people when they are facing racism.

“Black, Asian and minority ethnic people – including nursing and midwifery professionals – make a huge contribution to our society, in general, and to our health services, in particular.

“Across the health sector, we must confront racism and discrimination wherever it occurs, so that every nurse, midwife and nursing associate can feel safe, valued and respected as they continue to care for us all.”

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