Streeting: NHS seeing '1970s-style racism' against staff – intensified by winter pressures

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By Claudia Tanner

The health secretary has issued a stark warning that NHS staff are increasingly bearing the brunt of racist abuse reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, with mounting winter pressures threatening to intensify the problem as frustrated patients take out their anger on healthcare workers.

In an interview with The Guardian, Wes Streeting expressed shock at the frequency with which healthcare workers – particularly those in A&E – now face verbal and physical abuse based on skin colour.