College of Life Sciences
Addressing racial harassment on work placements
Students who experience racism, racial harassment, or microaggressive behaviour whilst on clinical work placement can feel particularly isolated and unsupported. They can be unsure who to report issues to, worried about the consequences of reporting and unable to challenge behaviours. They may experience racism from medical supervisors, staff or patients.
Key actions
- We will set clear expectations of placement providers to tackle racial harassment, micro-aggressions and discriminatory behaviour and we will monitor and actively address any issues.
- We will provide guidance to medical students about what to do if patients are racist or abusive. This will include how to report an incident of racial harassment while on placement.
Progress
Areas of progress and projects that tackle racial harassment and race-specific challenges on work placements include:
- Meeting with UHL Trust Education and EDI Leads to discuss mentoring for ethnic minority students and particular challenges that some students from minority communities might face on clinical placements
- Delivering active bystander training with a clinical-focus to students at Phase 2 induction, (in addition to Phase 1), providing skills to tackle unacceptable behaviours and to promote allyship whilst on placements
Working with students and local NHS Trusts to address issues around active inclusive within surgery. For example,
- finding the 'right' scrub hat when on surgical placement - students should never feel they can't go into theatre because there might not be a hair/head covering that works for them. Read more about this project in Ololade Tijani's blog
- changing local policy and guidance regarding the wearing of the Sikh Kara bangle. Read more about this project in Amardeep Sidki's blog
- Supporting our alumni to share MedRACE values and learning in their new NHS Trusts, and through their continued membership of MedRACE. Read more about our MedRACE alumni and see Kike Solanke's blog on delivering EDI teaching as a junior doctor.
