Helga Pile and Danny Mortimer, the staff side and employer side co-chairs of the national Social Partnership Forum (SPF), have issued the following statement:
“In the context of the increasing racial hostility currently being witnessed in our communities and the rising levels of abuse and harassment experienced by NHS staff, we commit to working in partnership to stand against hatred and discrimination, and value and celebrate the rich diversity of our staff and the wider population.
“Hard-working staff from the UK and across the world form the backbone of the NHS and their safety and wellbeing is essential to the running of the health service.
“We encourage regional and local partnership forums to focus on how best to help and protect staff through this period, to provide a safe working environment for all.”
The PDA is a member of the NHS Social Partnership Forum and supports this statement, also condemning any racists abuse or harassment. Staff side members of the SPF have also reissued guidance on supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) members at work, this document was first published in response to the unrest in 2024.
Ewura-Adjoa Yamoah, Vice President of the PDA BAME Network added
“I stand with colleagues across the NHS in condemning racist abuse and harassment. Our healthcare system thrives on diversity, and protecting staff from discrimination is not just about fairness – it’s about ensuring a safe and supportive environment where every professional can deliver the best care to patients.”
While the statements and guidance above are related specifically to NHS employers, the principles and some of the resources referenced in the document may also be of use at other employers too.
Read more
- You can read more about the SPFs work to reduce violence against NHS staff here:
- The PDA’s policy document and resource pack on tackling violence in pharmacy is available here:
- PDA Zero Tolerance of abuse posters, endorsed by the National Police Chiefs Council are available for download here:
Get involved in the PDA BAME network
- Join the PDA BAME Network (Allies very welcome)
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, email [email protected]
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.