Racist patients present a dilemma for healthcare workers

On p 1129 Selby describes being confronted with a patient expressing appallingly racist views. Eventually the ward sister segregated him at one end of the ward where he could not be heard by other patients from ethnic minorities. Selby had remained courteous to the patient but felt uncomfortable that her silence could be interpreted as agreement. Commentators on this dilemma acknowledge the limited scope for action but they suggest that doctors in this situation should state their disagreement with racist views. Moreover, hospitals should have policies on such behaviour, to support healthcare workers taking some action.