GREATER equality for black and ethnic minority (BME) nurses is needed to combat racism in the health service, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) demanded today as Windrush celebrations took place.

The RCN said that a quarter of NHS nurses are from minority backgrounds, yet they have much less chance of being promoted, more difficulty accessing development training and are more likely to be disciplined than white nurses.

RCN general secretary Janet Davies said: “So many of the Windrush generation helped to build the health service that we all rely on.

“They have been our valued colleagues for over 70 years and their contribution to keeping the service running is undeniable.

“Times have moved on since the 1940s, yet BME staff still do not have equal access to career opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.”

The RCN has launched a programme to work with employers to tackle the discrimination.

Ms Davies said: “We are absolutely clear that there is no room for racism or any form of hate in nursing.

“The Windrush generation and their descendants are a credit to our society and the nursing profession.”

Meanwhile shadow home secretary Diane Abbott called on the government to urgently introduce a hardship fund to support Windrush citizens after the government admitted that a “compensation” scheme had not yet been organised for the victims of Home Office racism.

Ms Abbott said: “Many of our fellow citizens have been left destitute by the Home Office and the government’s hostile environment policy.

“They cannot wait months for a consultation to be concluded on the government’s promised compensation scheme.”

She added that Home Secretary Sajid Javid is “dragging his feet” and it is “totally unacceptable.”