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Anti-Racism Zero Tolerance Policy

 

Purpose

At Seaton Park Medical Group, we stand united in our commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all. 

We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of racist abuse, whether directed at our staff, patients, or visitors. 

Racism has no place in our practice, and we will act swiftly and decisively to address it.

 

Recognising Racist Abuse

We acknowledge that staff and patients from minority ethnic backgrounds may be disproportionately affected by racist abuse. This abuse can occur in many forms and settings:

  • Verbal abuse: racial slurs, insults, or micro-aggressions
  • Physical abuse: any form of assault or intimidation
  • Threatening behaviour: gestures, tone, or actions that cause fear
  • Online abuse: racist messages via email, social media, or patient portals
  • Damage to property: racially motivated vandalism or destruction

These incidents may occur in waiting areas, consultation rooms, over the phone, during video consultations, or on home visits. Whether subtle or overt, all forms of racist abuse are unacceptable.

 

Our Commiment 

We do not tolerate racism in any form. Every incident will be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and responded to with compassion and resolve. We will support people experiencing racism, hold perpetrators accountable, and learn from each event to strengthen our culture of safety and respect.

Regardless of role, every person deserves dignity and protection. The impact of abuse is deeply personal, what may seem minor to one person can be traumatic to another. We will never dismiss or minimise someone’s experience. 

Seaton Park Medical Group aim to provide a supportive, fair and honest environment for all employees and patients; any person experiencing racism is encouraged to raise the issue with a trusted senior at the earliest opportunity. 

All matters reported will be taken seriously. 

 

Procedure for Responding to Racist Abuse

  • Immediate Safety
  • Secure the safety of all staff and patients.
  • Clearly communicate with the offending individual that the behaviour they are displaying must stop; make it clear which aspect of the behaviour is offensive and unacceptable and the effect that it is having.
  • Remove the perpetrator (or person experiencing racism if safer) from the situation if necessary.
  • Call 999 or 101 if there is any threat of violence.
 

Support for the person experiencing racism

Nominate a staff member to provide immediate comfort and care. This would normally be the GP Co-ordinator or Senior Manager.

  • Offer privacy, refreshments, and emotional support.
  • Assume the person experiencing racism will need time away from duties and arrange cover, inform the GP Co-ordinator as soon as possible.
 

Notify Leadership

  • Inform senior management and GP Co-ordinator as soon as it is safe to do so.
  • Ensure leadership is involved in decision-making and follow-up.
 

Gather Evidence

  • Collect witness statements and contact details.
  • Secure CCTV footage, phone recordings, or other documentation.
  • Encourage staff to write contemporaneous notes.
 

De-escalate and Resolve

  1. Prioritise the needs of the person experiencing racism over the offending individual.
  2. Provide emergency care if needed, but do not excuse abusive behaviour.
  3. Consider removal from the practice list if the offending individual is a patient. Discuss this with Senior Management, if clear cut then immediately take action to remove the perpetrator from the patient list. If uncertainty discuss this as soon as possible at the next Executive Group meeting to make a team decision, and issue notification to the offending individual, e.g. yellow card, red card/removal from practice list.
 

Communicate and Involve

  • Keep the victim informed throughout the process.
  • Involve them in decisions and offer written signposting to support services.
 

Practice Response

  • Meet with the victim within 48 hours to check on wellbeing.
  • Arrange appropriate disciplinary action if a staff member was the perpetrator.
  • Refer to BMA and Medical Protection Society guidance for patient removal.
 

Practice Learning

  • Hold a reflective group session to debrief and support staff.
  • Conduct a significant event analysis to identify improvements.
  • Include patient representatives where appropriate.
 

Being an Active Bystander

We encourage all staff and patients to be active bystanders. If you witness racist abuse, you have the power to act whether by intervening safely, offering support, or reporting the incident. Training and resources are available to help you respond confidently.

Active Bystander Resources

 

Support Services

We encourage anyone affected by racist abuse to seek support from trusted organisations:

 

Seaton Park Medical Group Safety Measures

We take proactive steps to protect our team and patients:

  • Lone working policies
  • Emergency call buttons at reception and in clinical rooms
  • Reception barriers and secure access points
  • Staff training in de-escalation and conflict resolution

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