Lord Mann’s review, one of several independent investigations into antisemitism across different sectors commissioned after the fatal attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester in October 2025, examined antisemitism and other forms of racism within the NHS in England. Its findings include that some Jewish patients and staff have felt the need to hide their religious identity.
The recommendation on political badges — which Lord Mann said should apply to symbols supporting either Israel or Palestine — is expected to be adopted by NHS England, subject to a consultation. The health service has been conducting its own separate review of uniform policy, which was last updated in 2020. The government has previously said that the new workwear guidance will protect freedom of religious expression.
Lord Mann told the BBC: “The NHS should not be a place where you bring in your views. And the stronger the views, the bigger the problem.”
“An ‘I support Palestine’ badge, or anything like that, is a problem for some people, just in the same way as an ‘I support Israel’ badge is a problem for some people. Don’t wear either,” he added. “If you’re fearful at what they [medical professionals] are wearing as a political symbolism, then that could be dangerous in terms of health outcomes.”
A Jewish A&E doctor in England, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the BBC she had felt uncomfortable seeing colleagues wearing pro-Palestinian badges. “The public should have trust in healthcare professionals and if you express political opinions, it can undermine that trust,” she said.
The report also found evidence of what it described as “routine ostracism” of Jewish staff. “People are leaving and have left the NHS because of that,” Lord Mann said. “There are people who are very quietly whispering it to me that they’ve made life changes, career changes, because of the ostracisation they’ve had for being Jewish.”
The review raised concerns that some Jewish patients are avoiding seeking care altogether due to fears of antisemitism. “There are people who are not getting the NHS service that they need. The perception amongst the Jewish community is that people have been having bad experiences,” Lord Mann said. “That can be catastrophic if [they] choose to put off the appointment.”
Health Secretary James Murray said the government would accept the recommendations in full. “I know that Jewish people – and everyone experiencing discrimination – need action not words,” he said. “Together with NHS England, we will waste no time in setting these recommendations in motion to build a health service that lives up to its values.”
A spokesperson for the Jewish Medical Association said antisemitism must be “taken seriously,” and added: “We would support the banning of political symbols including flags and symbols of any country. We wouldn’t want it to be discriminatory in any way.”
Prof Andrew Eder, chair of trustees of the UK’s Jewish Dental Society, told the BBC that antisemitic incidents in dentistry had spiked since the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. “Antisemitism goes right through the profession, whether you are a dental student, practitioner, or patient. I’ve been in practice for 40 years and I’ve never experienced this before at this level, with social media being a particular challenge,” he said.
Karen Newman, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “Our public services must set the standard for confronting anti-Jewish hatred and discrimination, and we must ensure the NHS, one of our proudest national institutions, is safe and welcoming for every staff member or service user, regardless of faith or ethnicity.”
Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, said: “We accept all of the recommendations in Lord Mann’s review and as a leadership community, we will act swiftly to implement them. The NHS at its best is a place of compassion, care and unity – not conflict – and there is unacceptable antisemitism and racism in the NHS, faced by both our staff and our patients and we must root this out.”
Some NHS trusts already prohibit staff from wearing symbols that could be perceived as political, citing a need to create a safe and inclusive environment for patients. However, two doctors and a nurse have launched legal action against Barts Health NHS Trust in London, arguing that its dress code policy unlawfully discriminates against them because of their pro-Palestinian beliefs.