Political badges should be banned from NHS uniforms

[Ihatetomatoes]

New report says political badges such as Pro Palestine shouldn't be worn on NHS uniforms. It's led to increased antisemitism and fear amongst Jewish patients.

Also NHS uniforms not to be worn on protests.

This report makes a number of suggestions and in my opinion must be implemented. All political badges off NHS uniforms. No NHS uniforms on protests such as pro Palestine. It contributes to racism and fear.

The NHS should treat all patients equally and individuals political opinions shouldn't be pinned on their uniforms.

I agree.

I can't believe this bullshit was ever tolerated tbh.

I wish this was the case for the schools around us.

I agree. It's ridiculous that this needs saying. It seems obvious really, healthcare should be treating all equally. However, it does since many individuals wear these badges which cause fear and increase antisemitism.

I agree that no political slogans or badges of any kind should be worn on a NHS uniform. But, as an aside being pro Palestine does not equate in any way to anti semitism. As many posters have also pointed out on multiple threads, Jewish people in the UK are not responsible for Israeli war crimes, hence this is not directed at them.

Good for them. Again personal political opinions shouldn't be foisted on children.

Sadly, there is antisemitism in the NHS, the report shows that and Jewish people even avoid treatment and have been subjected to antisemitism in the NHS. Hence the report suggests keeping political opinions out of work, no badge wearing.

I always find the ‘youre safe with me’ badges ironic. It makes me feel the opposite. Then add in the staff who literally rattle with all there added extras. After working in hospitals many years ago I remember infection control staff being extremely rigid with handwashing etc, and yet some staff literally glow with all the rainbow stuff! All public orientated services should absolutely be apolitical, focus on what your job is instead of your expression of identity.

Anyone is a position of responsibility for others (outside politics) including healthcare workers, teachers, police, local government workers etc should portray neutrality and commitment to genuine inclusiveness in their role. So no lanyards, badges, slogan clothes etc

Inclusiveness should mean including, not attempting to persuade (at best) or intimidate.

Totally agree - and that includes the rainbow sign, especially as the NHS stance on trans people is seen by many as an issue. And nobody felt the need to virtue signal before they came into prominence.

There have been local issues with this exact issue. Albiet the clash of LGBT and religious (rather than racism) rights. If the 'diversity' council is headed by a religious individual do they have the right to ban Pride events? Is it ok when challenged to say "We don't do that batty boy round here no more bruv" and slap someone on their bottom? Apparently this is fine and a "cultural difference"
The 'incident' at Batley Grammar left a lot of schools and teachers terrified and guidance is very poor:
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/khan-review-teacher-in-blasphemy-row-was-totally-and-utterly-failed/

Totally.

The badges are showing political opinions and an attempt to persuade or (as the report shows) intimidated.

Exactly. All this take your whole self to work shite needs to stop.
Work does not pay for my whole self, they pay for my skills, experience and professional self and that’s all they’re getting!

NHS guidelines from 2020 already say badges are poor practice: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Uniforms-and-Workwear-Guidance-2-April-2020.pdf section 5.6 Common Sense.

So this will be blamed on the team managers not following existing guidance with (probably quite militant) staff. The press coverage will help the managers to do so. I hope unions speak up in support of the policy, not the badge wearers.

Exactly 💯.

Work doesn't need individual political opinion directed at others.

Being anti genocide isn’t political.

Thanks for views.

I'm off to work, and not wearing an badges!

I also find the she/ her thing on email signatures pretty inflammatory. I did an on-line writing course and the woman introduced herself as 'Natalie She/ Her' as though it was her name. I lost all respect for them, and viewed them as unserious and silly.

Edited, to say that when I used 'them' I wasn't referring to Natalie She/ Her. She is is not a 'them', I meant the organisation. It was just so pathetic and embarrassing.

Democracy should absolutely stand for this, I completely agree with you but activism does not belong in public facing workplace. Teach children about what is going on in Gaza, in the Middle East more generally but activism is by its nature different with a different goal.

I agree but there is also the issue of infection control, you don’t stick a badge through a 60 degree wash do you.

It’s not activism though.

If you’re being treated for a medical condition do you really care about what your doctor thinks?

Yes it is when the whole ‘Gaza ‘ thing has been politicised and when we know there isn’t a genocide there.

Nobody should be wearing anything political, minority group supporting in any sector of the civil service.
Politics and opinions have no place when you are being paid by Joe Public.

Agree - the NHS should be a trauma informed workplace. Badges and symbols have the potential to be distressing to patients or other staff members. A blanket ban is much easier to enforce.

Can they be non itchy as well then please? I'm on a constant battle with my NHS lanyard cos it's sensory hell as an autistic and they put all the itchy break points right where it touches my skin!

To be honest, it's the main reason lots of colleagues have the rainbow pride versions acquired over the years - they're less blooming itchy!

As a patient and receiver of the service, you should not have to spend a moment worrying about what your Dr thinks.

The Dr can tell the world what they think in their own time.