Politics
Starmer says hospitals should ‘take action’ when staff ‘don’t reflect NHS values’ on antisemitism
The PM also chastised Tories for heckling him during his answer
March 12, 2025 14:35
The PM also chastised Tories for heckling him during his answer
March 12, 2025 14:35Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that all NHS trusts should ‘take action’ when staff discriminate against Jewish patients.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq asked Starmer what he was doing to ensure “my Jewish constituents can safely use our beloved NHS”.
The MP, who said that her constituency included “eight synagogues, a thriving Jewish population and the UK's largest Jewish cultural centre JW3” said she was “horrified to read reports about rising antisemitism on NHS wards”.
Siddiq referred to an incident she described as “shocking” where “a Jewish NHS staff member was called a ‘baby killer’ by their colleague”.
Starmer thanked Siddiq, his neighbouring MP, for raising the report, which he described as “deeply concerning”.
He continued: “It is completely unacceptable for anyone to experience racism, discrimination or prejudice in the health service. I know my right honourable friend the Health Secretary takes such reports extremely seriously.”
The prime minister then stated that “It is a fundamental principle that the NHS provides care and treatment for everyone, regardless of race, faith or background”, before being interrupted by a heckle from the Conservative frontbench.
Five MPs who were in the chamber at the time have told the JC it was Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Griffith, who was sat next to Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for the duration of PMQs, who heckled Starmer.
The prime minister then responded to the heckle by saying “This is a really serious issue. You’ve let yourself down, you know it”.
He continued to say that he expected “all trusts and healthcare providers to take necessary action against any staff that express views that do not reflect the views and values of the NHS.”
Earlier this year, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “challenging” the NHS “at every level” to act to tackle antisemitism within it.
He told a Jewish Labour Movement conference that he’d been “shocked” by what I have seen and heard “about the conduct of people working in the NHS and the experiences of patients too”.
Also at PMQs, Zarah Sultana, a Labour MP suspended for voting against the government, accused Israel of “collective punishment” and “genocide” in Gaza, in light of their decision to cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip.
Starmer responded by saying that “Blocking goods and supplies and power, entering Gaza risks breaching international humanitarian law, and it shouldn't be happening, and we are doing everything we can to alleviate that situation.”
After PMQs, a Downing Street spokesperson refused to endorse Sultana’s suggestion and said it was “a matter for international courts”.
The Conservative Party and Andrew Griffith have been contacted for comment.