I'm a doctor and I've seen racism against NHS staff increasing

“It seems like there is such an increase in events like this - with people of colour feeling unsafe coming to the workplace, which is about nurturing, caring for and nourishing the general public”, says *A, an NHS doctor in the north of England. Subscribe ► https://www.youtube.com/user/theguardian?sub_confirmation=1 She says she has seen racist incidents targeted at her colleagues, and herself, rising – and she’s not alone. Earlier this month, the health secretary and the NHS England chief warned that an “ugly” racism reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s has become worryingly commonplace again in modern Britain and NHS staff, 30% of whom are from a minority ethnic background, according to the healthcare service in England, are bearing the brunt of it. “It’s shocking to see the levels of racism within our communities and across modern Britain today – levels that we have not witnessed for decades. We know our NHS is not immune from this scourge because it is a microcosm of wider society”, said Prof Habib Naqvi, the chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory. As patients are warned of long waiting times and understaffing this winter, *A says she understands that “everyone is feeling a little bit let down”. “It affects us just as much as it affects you because we want to be able to provide a better system,” she says. “[But] I think that nobody works in the NHS unless they care … and that’s something really important to consider when accessing the public health service.” Watch to find out more about *A’s experiences, what she thinks should change – and head to the link in bio to read more amid warning of winter pressures and rising levels of abuse. *A’s name has been withheld at her request.