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.

Except people who are very opposed to LGBT people do see a rainbow badge as political, which is my point about how all sorts of things will be deemed political, showing an opinion.etc which patients may take umbridge with. Some people could think a consultant going by Ms is a statement. We can't overly police everyone because patients hold a spectrum of beliefs. HCPs are humans too and currently are allowed to express themselves within the rules of their organisation. As long as everyone is treated respectfully.

Ok great, I'm glad that you could easily see that and can request to not be cared for by me from afar. I'm not openly (or behind closed doors) oppressing anyone. I also have the right to not treat patients who are rude and abusive, and if you told me in person I was actively oppressing you by wearing my organisation provided lanyard I'd ask someone else to see you too.

But how do we justify banning them without the other items? Given they can all cause the same patient upset

I think you are in danger of making this thread about LGTB pins or lanyards when what the OP made clear in her first post was that she was talking about something else:

"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".

This isn’t about you though
It’s about the political expression of a lanyard and the potential effect it can have on customers

Because the reason they're allowed to wear those pins is the same expression that allows them to wear the others which is exactly what the judge said about banning them they didn't think it could be done in a way that didn't stifle staff members rights to express themselves and beat to focus on the standard of behaviour. Yes it would be easier to pretend other pins etc don't exist but they do and patients will have the same reactions to them, as shown on this thread. My LGBT lanyard is signalling that I am actively trying to oppress PP for example.

Because the other items are based on a need. Wearing a hijab or kippah is a religious requirement, wearing a pin or a lanyard isn't.

These are the two obvious examples, but the NHS could easily undertake a process to assess other requests. Its done in other industries (like in construction, sikhs can wear turbans rather than a hard hat).

Although as I noted upthread OP hasn't made the thread exclusive
she said
‘such as’

and the effects could cause
‘racism and fear’

So anything that could cause either is relevant

We have patients not customers..well clearly opinion is split here between people responding to me that LGBT pins or lanyards are totally different and not political, and others saying it's a political sign and will cause fear in patients. It doesn't matter apparently that LGBT patients more often prefer to see an LGBT staff member depending on the reason they're there, and that my lanyard makes me instantly identifiable to PP who very actively doesn't want to see me.

No they're choices, it's also perfectly acceptable and allowed that some Jewish men don't wear kippahs and not all Muslim women have to wear a hijab, so patients who take great offense, fear, upset at these could argue the staff member is bringing their whole self into work and should keep their personal religious expression at home.given they see those symbols as a sign the staff member means them harm.

Any patients that have a preference for certain staff can ask
That’s what women have to do all the time

Just as a point - To say anti LGBT is inaccurate.

Many LGB people are opposed to the T because they are seeing the rights and acceptance they have fought for over so many decades being eroded by the trans lobby. So objecting to the trans flag is not the same as being homophobic.

And that’s the point - these issues are complex but it’s horribly arrogant to dismiss these when the only benefit to anyone is the person who is wearing the badge.

It’s a shame that people won’t do something so insignificant to stop any of their patients feeling unsafe. It indicates that they are unable to leave your personal beliefs at the door.

There is no reason to assume that the group of people the HCPs claim to support would feel unsafe if they didn’t wear the badge. However it’s clear that some people would feel unsafe if the HCP did wear it .

Sadly I’m not surprised by this arrogant attitude - I wish I was.

I disagree, the people that wear these items do so as they believe it is a requirement of their religion. Just because not every Jewish man chooses to wear a kippah, doesn't make it any less of a need for those that do. If a doctor would not work without an item of clothing for religious reasons, it should not be banned because you'd be excluding them based on a religious requirement.

Comparatively, I've not seen anyone explain how not being able to wear a pin would prevent them doing their job (even if they'd prefer to do it with one).

I'd rather wear a lanyard that if a homophobic patient doesn't want to see me they can ask from afar "not that one please" than the homophobe asking each staff member individually if they're gay thanks.

Of course they believe that, I'm saying it could be argued they're bringing their personal religious opinion into work. They are physically all able to do their jobs without these religious items..they don't need a hijab on to be a doctor. If it was argued they absolutely have to have a head covering of some sorts surely the NHS could have a neutral head covers that aren't associated with particular religions. I'm only asking you explain clearly how a bad would be worded on pins and being neutral that can't also be argued for these items by a patient. PP already said she believes as a Jewish person she will be deliberately targeted for subpar care, how do we know others don't also feel that if their HCP has a hijab on and they suspect Muslims mean them harm?

Do patients really do that? Ask for a straight member of staff or demand to know the sexuality of everyone treating them?

It seems a very odd (and abusive) thing to do when you're a patient seeking help.

This isn’t about your preferences though
There are procedures for patients who want certain care for dignity and privacy
Outward statements of your politics are not necessary and intimidating to some people
Patients come first

Some people do object to it our of homophobia though. The face you object to it for a other reason doesn't change that. Apparently it doesn't matter why the patient objects, they can be upset by anything and we should be completely neutral in order to not offend or upset a single person. I find your posts very rude and aggressive to be honest, I'd rather if you don't engage with me anymore since you haven't responded to any of the nuance I've brought up about why it's hard to ban pins in a legal way and instead keep calling people arrogant, twats, etc

Apparently that's what they should be doing according to PP rather than us wearing lanyards.

Homophobes would be ignored
Men and women can request same sex personal care when dignity and privacy is an issue

How could someone wearing an LGTB lanyard cause racism and fear?

It’s very different to visibly taking a side in a war and OP did specifically mention increased antisemitism and fear amongst Jewish patients.

I don't understand your point, they are allowed to request any staff member they wish. Patients care is priority as I said, that's about how they're treated. The idea that staff are robots who aren't also entitled to be themselves in any way within the contract of their employment. By your standards how do we be as neutral as possible then? What, that we're currently allowed, should be banned? Tattoos? Piercings? Religious items?

The two are different of course
but many women especially feel threatened by the rainbow symbol because of how it has been used to demonise GC women

so yes
It can cause fear

If OP wants to change the title to just about support for certain countries at war then she/ he can

They shouldn't be ignored actually. Whether they dont want to see someone for a bigotted reason or not is still an issue of consent and they are allowed to see someone else. Likewise if someone is racist and doesn't want a black doctor.

Do you work in a hospital because your statement simply isn’t true

the UK, NHS hospitals operate on a zero-tolerance policy regarding discrimination. You cannot request a doctor based on their race, as this is considered an unreasonable and discriminatory request. Hospitals are legally and ethically obligated to protect staff and provide care without accommodating prejudice