Lord Mann urges NHS to ban pro-Palestinian badges, boost antisemitism training

UK government advisor on antisemitism Lord John Mann has recommended that the National Health Service ban pro-Palestinian badges and implement mandatory antisemitism training for staff. His review of antisemitism within the NHS, commissioned in October 2025, found that Jewish staff face routine ostracism and rising discrimination from colleagues.

The review, which included 36 recommendations, noted that Jewish people are the only religious group experiencing increasing discrimination in the NHS, leading some to consider leaving the service. The issue extends to patients, with some Jewish individuals reportedly avoiding treatment or delaying essential care due to fear.

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It is well-evidenced that racism is persistent in the NHS. The case for taking action to combat antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS is clear.

Mann emphasized that racism is persistent in the NHS and action is necessary. A significant finding was the failure to recognize Jewish people as an ethnicity in data collection, which the Board of Deputies of British Jews argues makes them invisible for research purposes. Lord Mann agreed, stating that capturing ethnicity, not just religion, upon GP registration could improve health outcomes and screening for conditions like Tay-Sachs disease or breast cancer, particularly in women's health and maternity services. He recommended the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care consider including Jewish and Sikh people as ethnicities in data collection.

Another recommendation addresses freedom of expression, suggesting that abuses of this right can conflict with patient safety. While freedom of expression is protected by UK law, Mann indicated that certain expressions could undermine the feeling of safety for patients.

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Appropriate data collection is essential. Screening based on Jewish - and indeed other - ethnicity criteria could save lives and give improved health-related outcomes, including patient access to healthcare services. This is particularly urgent in women’s health and maternity services.