NMC responds to the RCN survey that shows BAME nursing staff experience greatest PPE shortages

Commenting on the latest RCN survey about access to personal protective equipment (PPE) by Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) nursing staff, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: 

“I am deeply concerned by the results of the RCN’s survey. All health and care professionals, no matter their background, should have access to the PPE they need to keep themselves and those they care for safe. And when nursing and midwifery professionals raise concerns as the NMC Code of Conduct expects them to, they should all be confident those concerns are listened to and acted upon.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed deep seated inequalities for ethnic minority nursing and midwifery professionals. Their experiences cannot be ignored and I hope this survey leads to concerted action by all partners across the health and care system to secure much needed improvements.”

ENDS 

Background Information 

•On 14 April 2020, we released a statement on PPE, to help provide guidance to nursing and midwifery professionals when facing difficult decisions over the provision of care without adequate protection.

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