NHS staff told to stop wearing uniforms at pro-Palestinian demonstrations

[Twiglets1]

Article in The Telegraph yesterday (behind paywall):

NHS staff will be told to stop wearing their work uniforms on marches and displaying pro-Palestinian badges in the workplace as part of a crackdown on anti-Semitism in the health service.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, revealed the plans as he vowed to snuff out “the appalling experiences of anti-Semitism affecting Jewish staff and patients” in the NHS.

The Health Secretary has encouraged trusts to roll out wider anti-Semitism training in the workplace. Such training has already been provided to some NHS organisations by the Anti-Semitism Policy Trust.

Following concerns over anti-Semitic activities in medical schools, Mr Streeting has said they should be adhering to wider university sector guidance on stamping out such behaviour.

In December, he vowed in The Telegraph to have medics struck off the medical register if they brought “racist or extreme views” about the Gaza conflict into the workplace.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Actions speak louder than words, which is why we are working with the NHS to put concrete measures in place to stamp out discrimination and protect Jewish staff and patients.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/10/nhs-streeting-staff-uniforms-protests/

Good

Why do they wear uniforms anyway to protests? Do people from Asda etc wear theirs? I think it's fair enough at work as well in a healthcare service we all pay taxes towards.

Good.

It is a complex situation and I know people passionately on both sides of the argument.

It would be awful if you knew someone who had been killed on 7/10 to have to be treated by someone you had seen in a protest where many protesters were clearly happy about the attack.

They shouldn't be.

As Wes Streeting said, "Staff should not be wearing uniforms on political protests, with the exception of protests against the Government about matters of health policy.”

I think that as professionals the NHS staff should keep their views about the war in Gaza out of the workplace so no wearing badges etc. Wes Streeting reiterated guidance that states “one or two badges denoting professional qualifications or memberships may be acceptable on uniforms” but that “any more looks unprofessional”.

As you say, it's a complex situation that people on both sides feel passionately about. NHS staff can hold their own views in private & attend demonstrations in their own clothes if they want to but they shouldn't be trying to link political views with the NHS.

My husband used to work for the NHS and wasn't supposed to wear his uniform out of the hospital anyway so I don't see how this arises really. Not that I disagree with their stance on Gaza.

Feels strange having such a sensible statement made by a politician.

Rightly so.

People have been wearing their NHS uniforms at Pro- Palestinian demonstrations though as you can see in the article photo.

I guess they will now explicitly be told not to so it will be more of a disciplinary offence if they continue to do so and are identified.

Noone should wear their uniform outside work for hygiene reasons never mind political ones. I hate seeing nurses in the supermarket in their uniforms.

I like Wes Steeting because he always seems sensible to me. But then again it’s hard to trust any politician these days!

They shouldn’t be wearing uniforms out of the work place anyway!

Happy about the attack? Talk about a stretch

My mum was a nurse for 40+ years. It was drilled into her that you do not wear your uniform out of work. It used to wind her up seeing people in town or at the park in their uniform. This was for hygiene and if you get caught doing something you shouldn't,you didn't give the NHS a bad name.
She even used to go to work in civvies then change there.
I think it's fine supporting what you believe in bit you should not let it be linked to your profession

Our Trust policy is we can commute in our uniform but not wear it anywhere we could be identified as the NHS should be neutral.
Those 'nurses' in the supermarket could easily be from other professions, eg spa workers, animal care workers (PDSA staff used to elwear the same uniform as my previous trust!).

Quite. When I had one of my children, I puked all over my husband. He didn’t have spare clothes so a kind member of staff gave him some scrubs. When he got to the car park he was stopped. Despite explaining, he was made to strip off the scrubs and drive home in his undies! 🤣

Its the usual reaction on here from the but hamas crowd. Any mention that you find the genocide in Gaza utterly abhorrent and you are immediately labelled as antisemitic. Thats always the fallback. Its to end discussion before it actually leads anywhere.

I don’t think you can assume that no pro Palestinian protestors were happy about the attack. Some have been holding pro Hamas banners so presumably do support Hamas attack on Israel civilians on October 7th & believe it justified.

Though I like to believe they are in a minority there are some people with extreme views on political demonstrations.

Good.

This would be useful in all workplaces.

"Mr Streeting has also asked NHS trusts to consider adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism in staff handbooks and HR policies."

Good. If this happened in my Civil Service department, clearance would be stripped, job lost, and no recourse. The NHS has enabled far too much stupid shit from pro-Palestine doctors to trans being allowed to perv on women in changing rooms. It is about time someone made it clear the basic standards of acceptability.

I trained in London in the early/mid eighties.
It was absolutely inculcated in us that no uniforms/white coats/ scrubs were EVER to be worn outside the hospital. It was the professional thing to do....it feels like professional standards have slipped, in more ways than one.

This in no way reflects my political views on this matter however, I agree.

my workplace has a strict policy that no Badges, logos Are to be placed on uniform as this can be perceived by the wider public as being officially affiliated with the company. It doesn’t matter what the cause is, Whether the wider public thinks is right or wrong, Unless an official initiative by the company, It should not be displayed alongside workplace uniform. In our case, it is fine to wear Jewellery for example, That reflects your beliefs, But the uniform itself is to be kept clear.

When you are attending a protest, that will be publicised on social media, in newspapers And even TV in some cases, organisations such as the NHS shouldn’t be perceived as supporting anything really, unless it’s instigated by them and within policy, As everybody no matter where you are from as a right to receive Care. Seeing NHS workers protesting against anything may signal to the general public that people of the opposed view are not welcome in the organisation.

They shouldn't wear the uniforms unless they're at work. A protest is a personal thing so they should wear normal street clothes. Or a balaclava if they want.
But no individual should associate their personal right to protest with their role at work. Unless they're a human rights campaigner or lawyer or something. But a barrister protesting wouldn't wear their wig and gown?

This! Parent had to change in the changing room and put uniform in the Laundry!!