NHS staff should be banned from wearing pro-Palestinian badges, report recommends

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. NHS staff should be banned from wearing pro-Palestinian badges, report recommends53 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJudith Moritz ,special correspondentandDaniel WittenbergBBCIt is understood the report will also recommend staff should not wear uniform at certain protestsNHS staff could be barred from wearing political badges on their uniforms, such as pro-Palestinian symbols, as part of proposals to help tackle antisemitism. The measure is one of several recommendations in a review by the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann. The review examined antisemitism and other forms of racism within the NHS.

Its findings include that some Jewish patients and NHS staff have felt the need to hide their religious identity. Other recommendations made by Lord Mann include stronger accountability for NHS managers, improved recording and monitoring of racist incidents, and enabling more patients to record their ethnicity as Jewish. Dangerous for healthLast year, the former Labour MP was tasked by the government with looking into ways patients can be protected from racism, following reports of antisemitism perpetrated by NHS doctors.

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The report was one of several independent reviews of antisemitism in different sectors, which were commissioned in the wake of the fatal attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, in Manchester, in October 2025. Lord Mann told the : "The NHS should not be a place where you bring in your views. And the stronger the views, the bigger the problem.

""An 'I support Palestine' badge, or anything like that, is a problem for some people, just in the same way as an 'I support Israel' badge is a problem for some people. Don't wear either," he added. "If you're fearful at what they are wearing as a political symbolism, then that could be dangerous in terms of health outcomes.

"Getty ImagesLord Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, told the : "The NHS should not be a place where you bring in your views"A Jewish A&E doctor in England, who did not want to be named, told the she had felt uncomfortable seeing colleagues wearing pro-Palestinian badges. "The public should have trust in healthcare professionals and if you express political opinions, it can undermine that trust," she said. The recommendation on political badges is expected to be adopted by NHS England, subject to a consultation.

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It has been conducting its own, separate review of uniform policy, which was last updated in 2020. The government has previously said that the new workwear guidance will protect freedom of religious expression. It is understood that Lord Mann will also recommend that NHS staff should not wear uniform at certain protests.

Lord Mann's report found evidence of what it described as "routine ostracism" of Jewish staff in the NHS. "People are leaving and have left the NHS because of that," Lord Mann added.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.