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.

Yes you're right. But it then it should be an outright ban to everything. No flags, no rainbows, no poppies, no anything 🤷🏻‍♀️ maybe just medical stuff like the aids or cancer ribbons 😉

Half of the time the issue is that collecting badges on your lanyard has become the NHS version of Pokemon cards and expressing your individuality - to the point that they were the equivalent of a shiny sticker from the teacher in my NHS trust for a while (till they ran out of money for such fripperies). Drives me mad with the amount of them some colleagues have acquired over the years. Some of them must weigh a bloody tonne!

It should never have been permitted. It wouldn't have been in the old days of Hattie Jacques-style matrons ('Carry On' film reference in case you didn't get it).

Exactly. I don’t want political/ally badges and lanyards when I am treated.

It is if you're only against one genocide (especially one that isn't even proven) and don't mind others.

The article states that 3 NHS staff are suing Barts NHS trust for impinging on their right to political expression. Mind boggling.

I think it all increased when people were actively encourage to display the Ukraine flag everywhere. I never understood why that was ok at schools etc either. My nephew’s wife is Russian (anti Putin though) and she found all the displays of blue and yellow quite difficult to navigate.

It also doesn't happen in private healthcare. Mum had haer hip replaced in a private hospital last year and the staff wore ID badges clipped to a pocket on their tunics - no lanyards, no badges, no ribbons. That's how it should be.

I agree.

Of course it is. It is like the difference between terrorist and freedom fighter - it depends what side you happen to be on

People are entitled to their political views but I don’t want to know them in a medical or professional setting. I don’t want to think I am being treated by someone who, by wearing a crappy lanyard, might make me wonder if they think sex is biological or not.

And that’s why it shouldn’t happen - we all have our own political opinions and someone clearly stating theirs are poles apart automatically makes it about that (iyswim!)

Yes - now I think of it, at the time a Russian woman I knew, who had lived in the UK for decades, essentially disappeared from the social scene because she felt judged for her nationality.

In my NHS trust, no badges other than name badges are allowed. It’s a health and safety concern as well as infection prevention. This has been the case for many years.

We are so tolerant bordering on stupid in the UK. Why is it even allowed? What happens with no boundaries is that people push and push them. I have been in London when many of the pro Palestine marches are on. I dont like them. There are literally 1000's of people shouting out all sorts. Jewish people are being hissed at.

I am not even going to get started on the cost.

I don’t either. Frankly, it’s ridiculous. I can’t believe we’re even having to ask this question.
In the good old days you wouldn’t have all this nonsense. It started off with the rainbow lanyards, to signing off with your pronouns, to describing people as ‘they / them’ and now wearing political badge. FFS! 🤦‍♀️
The days of professionalism, health and safety are long gone.

Its absolutely insane that it has ever been allowed. I applied for a job in the NHS and I would have had to remove my teeny tiny diamond nostril stud (which btw is a cultural norm for people of my heritage) because 'patients may be scared' of facial piercings !!??
But people have been wearing Free Palestine badges? What?

I think people in the nhs want to be seen as professionals but seem to act as political slogan bearers. No to nose piercings too. I’m amazed everyone n sent culture can afford a diamond but do we need to know about anyones beliefs or cultural background. Just do the job.

People at work are professionals, not billboards.

Their professional and integrity is supported by thorough equalities policies, to which they are accountable. The uniform and the NHS logo is all that is needed.

No Pride, Palestinian, St George, Saltire, Blue Peter, cycling proficiency badges , none of it! And no visible religious symbols either.

It isn’t about the rights or wrongs of each insignia: insignia full stop is inappropriate on an NHS uniform or worn by NHS staff. Ditto. Emergency services, civil servants , teachers and so on.

I feel that there should be a correction to all of this nonsense. Allowing political badges, allowing certain religions to wear knives and take them to SCHOOL!

Of course Starmer is going to do nothing, he has already said 'lessons must be learnt' let the investigatiors do their job. Kick the can down the road and btw - I wont be here anyway and it will be someone else's job to take the flak for this and that person makes so many u turns he will be even worse if that is even possible.

I am no fan of Farage but to ignore what he is saying and not have a sensible conversation about what is happening is madness. He should be a small party in the background and look what we have allowed to happen.

True , although racism, misogyny and homophobia were utterly entrenched in the NHS back then.

The "good old days" when the NHS was institutionally misogynistic and homophobic?

I've nothing against the banning of political badges but it's worth remembering why things like Pride badges became a thing in the first place. The old days of the NHS weren't good at all for lots of people.

Why no to nose piercings? I mean im.jot arguing with you i just dint see the issue? What is the difference between a tiny stud in my nose and tiny studs in my ears? Especially as its a cultural sign of marriage and we're allowed to wear a wedding ring (which is more of a theoretical hygiene risk since its on the hand)

Ah but a wedding ring is representative of British culture and I'm sure @MeetMeOnTheCorner has no objection to that, it's just other cultures that she finds confronting.

@Focacciaisyum I feel it’s on your face and not the cultural norm for health professionals. It’s all about you and that’s the issue with all of this. It’s the individual trumping everything else. Why not just a wedding ring?

Slogans, lanyards etc shouldn't be worn in any workplace. As the title suggests, it's a place of work not an outlet for people's personal opinions.

The majority of people go to work. Everyone should be able to do that without being made to feel uncomfortable or worried.

But why allow studs in ears then? Thats all about the wearer too. Honestly I genuinely dont see the difference
Also FWIW its a lot easier to take a wedding ring on and off quickly than a nose stud.