NHS staff should not wear "political symbols" such as badges professing support for Palestine or Israel, nor should they wear uniforms to political marches, according to the head of a review into antisemitism in the health service.
Review Findings and Recommendations
Lord John Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, conducted an eight-month examination into antisemitism and other forms of racism within the NHS. He found that some Jewish NHS staff have felt compelled to conceal their religious identity. A series of recommendations published on Thursday includes improved reporting and learning from racist incidents, as well as updated equality, diversity, and human rights training to address antisemitism and anti-Muslim hostility.
Political Symbols on Uniforms
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Mann was asked about the wearing of political symbols by NHS staff. He responded: "If we take the example of a dentist, 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 emphasised that it will be up to the NHS to decide what constitutes a political symbol, adding: "It's for the NHS to decide what its policy is in relation to that. I think the differentiation, the political badge that's expressing a political expression, is the one that I have found with the Jewish community is a problem."
Uniforms at Political Marches
Lord Mann also stated that NHS staff should not wear uniforms to political marches. He said: "I hope people would be politically active and having their own views, but taking the NHS into that and using the NHS into that is, in my view, a problem."
Context and Reactions
The review was commissioned by the government last October amid rising concerns over antisemitism in British society. In May, thousands protested outside Downing Street to "face down extremists" following a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London and a double stabbing in Golders Green.
Lord Mann stressed the importance of ensuring Jewish people feel confident they will receive equal treatment. He said: "Jewish people have to be confident that they will receive the same treatment as everyone else, at all times in all situations. If people feel, as they do, that some have to hide their identity as patients or suffer in silence as staff, then the universality of the NHS is fundamentally breached."
The review has been welcomed by the Royal College of Nursing. General secretary and chief executive Nicola Ranger said: "Today's renewed focus on tackling antisemitism and all forms of racism in the NHS is much needed. It's absolutely essential that staff are safe at work, but the reality is racism in the NHS is on the rise, as is violence, aggression and sexual harassment. That these behaviours have become so normalised is alarming."
Dean Royles, interim chief executive of NHS Employers, added: "This review reveals beyond any doubt that antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS are rising, as they are within our wider society, and must be tackled with urgency by all of us."
