The NHS is to restrict political symbols on staff uniforms and require all trust leaders to undergo antisemitism training, following a government-ordered review that found Jewish patients and staff face 'routine ostracism' within the health service.
Lord Mann, the government's adviser on antisemitism, will publish his 60-page report on Thursday, warning that antisemitism is so widespread it threatens the NHS's founding principle of universality. Some Jewish patients have delayed or avoided treatment due to fear of discrimination, while Jewish staff report growing hostility from colleagues.
The review was commissioned last year by then-health secretary Wes Streeting after reports of doctors making antisemitic comments. Two doctors, Manoj Sen and Mohammed Asif Munaf, have been struck off the medical register for antisemitic behaviour. Another, Rahmeh Aladwan, is due to stand trial on charges including inviting support for Hamas.
In response, the NHS will restrict political symbols on uniforms and make anti-racism training mandatory for chairs and chief executives of all 205 NHS trusts in England within six months. The measures will also address racism against black and minority ethnic staff and Islamophobia.
Rebecca Gray of the NHS Alliance noted that antisemitism has worsened since the review was commissioned, citing an arson attack on a Hatzola ambulance station in Golders Green. Prof Nicola Ranger of the Royal College of Nursing said it was 'absolutely essential' that staff feel safe, but racism, violence and aggression have become 'normalised'.
