The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has today launched the new ‘RCOG Race Equity in the Workforce’ resource designed to help healthcare professionals address racism within the workplace.
The free online package offers practical tools to deliver meaningful change across the obstetrics and gynaecology workforce. It supports inclusive training, challenges bias, improves communication and empowers members to ensure equity across clinical practice.
Racism in the UK’s obstetrics and gynaecology workforce remains a persistent issue affecting both healthcare professionals and patients they serve. Doctors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds face racism, harassment and discrimination, which in turn influences the work environment and potentially the quality of care provided.
Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, commented: “Too many doctors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds continue to face racism, harassment and discrimination. I know from my conversations with members across the workforce the impact this has on wellbeing, on work environments, on career progression, and at times, even the care women and girls receive.
“Tackling racism within the O&G workforce has been one of my presidential priorities and this resource represents a culmination of three years’ worth of research and collaboration. This free e-Learning package provides practical tools to deliver meaningful change, at every level and ensure we all move beyond dialogue and towards action. My sincere thanks to Miss Farah Siddiqui, Consultant in Fetal and Maternal Medicine and Workforce Fellow, for leading this innovative project with a group of trainees. I hope it proves valuable to both the O&G workforce and other frontline healthcare professionals.”
Dr Laura Hipple, Vice President for Membership and Workforce at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, commented: “There is a wealth of freely available content on this topic, but it can feel overwhelming to navigate through. This resource guides learners through curated and relevant content, providing practical advice they can employ in their workplace to develop a supportive learning culture. While we recognise the themes raised can be challenging the resource has space and guidance for personal reflection built in as well as signposting to additional sources of support.”
In the United Kingdom (UK), 45% of the Fellows and Members of the RCOG who disclosed their ethnicity identify as Black, Asian, Mixed heritage or other minority ethnicity. A survey conducted by the RCOG in 2023 showed that nearly three quarters of those responding reported they had experienced or witnessed racism in the workplace in the past year. Many cited anxiety about reporting incidents, fear of being labelled a troublemaker, a perception of ‘nothing changing’, concerns about career progression and a lack of appropriate responses to reported incidents of racism.
There is a need for a concerted effort, from leaders to frontline workers, to push for better reporting, recording and action when acts of microaggression and racism occur. Current mechanisms for reporting are inadequate and deter staff from raising concerns.
About ‘RCOG Race Equity in the Workforce’
The resource includes six eLearning modules covering core race equity principles. The modules are as follows:
Introduction and overview
Anti-racist leadership:
- Explores behaviours and language, how leaders can take accountability for racism within their organisation, sets clear policies for an organisation and explains how they can monitor and measure the discrimination in the workplace.
Equitable teams:
- Highlights the importance of diverse and inclusive teams for unlocking innovation and collaboration; promotes fair recruitment practices and outlines clear channels for escalation.
Support:
- Focuses on fostering a sense of belonging and addressing differential attainment; explores the role of mentorship and coaching and the importance of equitable access to support after experiencing an adverse event.
Empowerment:
- Encourages self-advocacy, negotiation and conflict resolution skills while challenging stereotypes and assumptions.
Psychological safety at work:
- Emphasises the importance of creating safe spaces and acknowledges that external factors can affect mental and emotional wellbeing and experiences.
The resource will include essential content plus additional optional content, depending on a user’s level of interest in the topics. Participants who complete a module will receive a certificate of completion, recognising their commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in clinical practice.