Hospital trust reviews uniform policy after complaint about medical staff wearing pro-Palestine insignia

A London healthcare trust will review its uniform policy after a complaint was made by a Jewish patient about multiple staff members at one of its hospitals wearing pro-Palestine badges and lanyards.

Imperial College Healthcare Trust has committed to the move after concerns were raised about medical practitioners at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington donning the paraphernalia while treating patients.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKFLI) wrote to the trust after being told the head nurse of one ward was wearing a lanyard with the words “Free Palestine” written on it, while another head nurse of a different ward was wearing a Palestine flag badge.

The Israel advocacy group also heard reports of two doctors in their first year of foundation training wearing watermelon badges on their lanyards. Another early doctor allegedly had the words “Free Palestine” all over her phone case.

UKLFI claimed that complaints had been made to the hospital’s patient advice and liaison service, but “without success”.

The trust’s website, describing its ethos, says, “We are considerate and thoughtful, so you feel respected and included. We see things from others’ point of view.”

Caroline Turner, the director of UKLFI, said: “It does not appear that the trust has been considerate or thoughtful, by allowing hospital staff to wear their pro-Palestinian insignia at work. We hope that following their review of uniform policy, these items will be prohibited.”

In her letter to the trust, she said Jewish and Israeli patients and staff were likely to be intimidated by the pro-Palestine symbols, owing to their presence in the Gaza marches in central London where Jews have reported encountering hostility.

“They are particularly upsetting for Jewish patients to see, as they will feel that they have to hide their Jewish identity,” Turner said. “The patients are already in a vulnerable condition, and this intimidation by staff can only exacerbate their condition.”

In response, the trust told UKLFI it was “currently reviewing its uniform and appearance policy” and would write again “when this review is complete”.

Last summer, the then Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the Conservatives would outlaw the display of Palestinian flags by health workers at work if they were re-elected.

The JC contacted the Imperial College Healthcare Trust for comment.