NHS staff should not wear political badges at work or take part in political marches while wearing uniform, the head of a review into antisemitism in the health service has said. Lord John Mann said badges professing support for Palestine or Israel should not be worn while people are at work, describing it as “a problem” in the NHS.
As the Government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann was tasked last year with looking into antisemitism in the NHS. His report, due to be published on Thursday, makes a series of recommendations. Ahead of publication, he said he found it “profoundly depressing” how common it was for Jewish staff to feel ostracised and for patients to feel reluctant to seek help amid concerns about encountering antisemitism.
Lord Mann described one “horrific” incident where a Jewish employee arrived at work to find his locker smeared with bacon fat. He also spoke of women choosing not to have babies at NHS hospitals and a “trend now of people not presenting when they should be to the NHS because they’re worried about what their experience will be”.
Asked about political symbols, Lord Mann told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Don’t do it, don’t have it.” He added: “If I’m in the dentist’s chair and the dentist’s about to drill my teeth, I don’t expect my dentist to be wearing an ‘I love Palestine’ badge, or indeed an ‘I love Israel’ badge, on their uniform.” He also suggested football team symbols on uniforms are inappropriate, calling them an “unnecessary distraction”.
On political demonstrations, Lord Mann said: “Where there’s a political march, then the NHS imagery, the NHS branding, the NHS logo shouldn’t be used as part of that.” He stressed a difference between religious and political symbols, saying he is not recommending banning religious symbols such as a crucifix or Star of David. The Department of Health and Social Care accepted the recommendation for a national policy on uniform, which the NHS is developing.
