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.

You also don't need to lecture the person reminding you to not assume someone's intentions and lump everyone in together on the concept of people not being a homogenous group!

Well I wouldn’t know that until later. Or never if my son runs out of the room. Harm would have been done instantaneously. I appreciate you might treat me kindly eventually but I’d have no way of knowing that while running after my son.

It’s fine. I don’t think you’re a terrible person. Your views are popular and you’ll have plenty of company. Am sure most people don’t notice, don’t care or agree with you. But I really, really hope to never ever come across you when I need help.

You can maintain all of that in your own head without involving your patients in it.

Thing is, it shouldn't be about you. It's their needs, their care. None of which has any relevance to your political views.

You keep bringing someone else's views into this conversation with me. I didn't say that, I don't agree with that, so 🤷‍♀️

While I understand why a parent would be protective of their child and cautious about anything that makes them uncomfortable, I don’t think it’s fair to assume that wearing a Palestine pin means someone would provide worse care or hold hostility toward Jewish patients.
I also think parents have a responsibility to teach children not to make assumptions about people based solely on a symbol, badge or expression of concern for others. A Palestine pin does not automatically tell you how someone will treat you, what their values are in every respect, or whether they can be trusted to care for a patient professionally and compassionately.
For me, a Palestine pin is not a statement against Jewish people. It is a statement of concern for Palestinian civilians, including children who have been killed, injured, displaced, orphaned, traumatised or denied medical care. All of which are there for all who care and want to see.
Caring about Palestinian children does not diminish concern for Jewish children, or for any other child who needs help. Those concerns are not mutually exclusive.
You say you hope never to come across me when you need help. That’s your choice. But I would still treat you and your child with the same care, dignity and compassion as anyone else, regardless of your views about my badge.

But you did agree it's more strange that forward for things to be neutral and that the patients needs and care take precedent? Just not when it comes to a couple of views you happen to also agree with..

Not intentionally. As @PurpleThistle7 has said, the reaction of the patient is a key element of your ability to deliver care.

The test should be whether the symbol impacts the ability for the patient to receive the care they need and in this case it does.

There may be lots of symbols that cause this, but while the debate has been partly triggered by the impact on Jewish patients, the discussion is not only limited to Palestinian flags but any symbol that might impact the ability to treat patients.

Start by banning Poppies.

Why?

No. You just made that up.

My position (which incidently I laid out much earlier in this thread) is that I feel the only pins that it would be appropriate to wear in a clinical setting are those connected with the nhs remit.

By that logic the nurse who insisted on calling a patient he could impact the ability for a patient to receive the care they need too? Provided it's documented accurately in notes what the patients biologically sex is as well, then a HCP is affecting the patients ability to deal with the HCP if they insist on not following their preference of addressing them by preferred name or pronoun.

So wearing a sex matters pin would be fine because it's medically accurate then? It doesn't matter if it would make patients upset or uncomfortable, in which case why does the feeling a flag creates matter if it's not about the patients feelings?

If I found you at a hospital I wouldn’t have a choice. I cannot escape it. I have to lie there, in pain, and fearful. It bewilders me that you’d choose to make me more upset for absolutely no reason.

I support your right to march and protest and boycott. I support your right to donate your time and money as you like in your free time. I cannot see why when you have a position of power and I have no power whatsoever, you’d want me to feel worse. That is your choice but I really hope the NHS follows the example of the police and other tax funded organisations of community support and enforce a uniform policy that supports everyone equally.

Yes, I agree. I don't know the details of the case well enough to know exactly what happened but I'd say the nurse should avoid using any pronouns if they felt unable to use the patient's preferred ones.

I don't believe in compelled speech (e.g. forcing the nurse to use preferred pronouns) but as you say, noting it on the form and medically treating the patient as per the sex seems the most sensible way of respecting the nurse's beliefs and treating the patient.

I think this is the nub of the problem and why these posters will never change their point of view. People have tried so hard to get them to empathise, to put themselves in the shoes of potential patients who might find them upsetting, but it has got nowhere, and never will.

Because, for them, it literally is "all about them". Other people are simply there to either appreciate their opinions or to shut up.

They have no interest in anyone who may be upset by them. This is why a debate is pointless and a blanket ban is the only option.

I disagree, I think the nub of the issue is the assertion that a pin is for the wearer alone and not FOR other patients, and the assumption that it's somehow inherently anti any patients it's not aimed at.

Agreed, I think the most important aspect is whether a HCP treats all patients with the same respect and care, which includes being understanding if they wish to be cared for by someone else. HCPs are people too, so I don't think we need to restrict their expression or solidarities as long as they provide great care.

But the difference here is between a neutral action (not using any pronouns or wearing any badge) and negative action (calling the patient a pronoun that will distress them, wearing a badge that will distress them).

Healthcare workers are not being asked to deny their beliefs or act in a way that counter to their beliefs, they are being asked not to actively behave in a way that may distress patients.

The thing is you are at work.

Stop bringing your opinions, political views etc into work.

Just work. Is that really so difficult, without having pins showing various positions you hold on your uniform? Be professional. I really don't care for your posturing on various issues, it's irrelevant.

But it is for the wearer. You all claim it’s to help people. Who is going to be affected positively by someone wearing a Palestine pin? It’s not going to help the people you say you support. The Palestinians being killed are on the other side of the world but the Jews in this country are suffering for it.

It is hard enough finding a decent HCP who knows what’s going on in your file. So if you walked in with any flag or badge I am going to be wondering about your professionalism tbh. I’m certainly not going to trust someone who thinks their political opinion has any place in a medical consultation.

Indeed. You would assume 'professionals ' might understand that. No need to wear your opinions on a pin on your work uniform. Just be professional.

This.

They can go bang whatever drum they want to bang, in their free time, not at work, in an NHS uniform.

I agree. It is inappropriate to be showing your political views on your uniform. It would make me feel uncomfortable.

Yeah but they wont listen because they would rather risk upsetting some people just to try to signal to others how
supportive they are.

Of course wearing a badge is a way of showing support without having to get your hands dirty

The recommendation for staff to stop wearing political symbols comes off the back of a report into antisemitism. It found that some Jewish people are not seeking treatment because of fear of antisemitism in the NHS after hearing stories of Jewish people who were treated badly. The fact that you as a healthcare professional think that this is less important than your "right" to wear a pin that does nothing and helps no one is disturbing.