Antisemitism has become a growing concern within the National Health Service (NHS), with reports indicating that Jewish patients and staff increasingly feel their identity is not respected. A recent review led by Lord Mann revealed that many Jewish NHS employees are hesitant to express their Jewish identity openly. According to the 2025 NHS Staff Survey, 11% of Jewish staff reported experiencing discrimination from patients or members of the public, while 13% reported such behavior from managers or colleagues.
The NHS, founded on the principle of providing care based solely on clinical need regardless of background, faces criticism for allowing an environment where antisemitism can persist. Officials stress that no patient should feel that visible signs of their faith, such as wearing a Star of David, could influence the quality of care they receive.
Government officials, including Kemi Badenoch, have labelled the rise in antisemitism a national emergency, referencing historical lessons from the 1930s that demonstrate the dangers of unchecked hatred. The current climate, they say, involves a complex intersection of far-right, hard-left, and extremist Islamist groups, some of whom have exploited political disputes related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to fuel antisemitic sentiment. The Labour Party’s decisions to recognise Palestine and sanction Israeli settlements, actions welcomed by Hamas, have been cited by some as inadvertently empowering these groups.
Critics argue that NHS leadership has failed to address the issue adequately, allowing political activism and intimidation to infiltrate workplace environments. They assert that while NHS staff have a right to personal political beliefs, healthcare settings must remain politically neutral to ensure patients are not subjected to hostility or political messaging during their care. Concerns are raised that the blurring of professional boundaries has created an intimidating atmosphere for Jewish staff and patients alike.
Recommendations from Lord Mann’s review call for stronger enforcement of political neutrality within the NHS, improved mechanisms for reporting racist incidents, and greater accountability among NHS leaders. The proposals also include clearer national guidance on political symbols and uniforms within healthcare settings. While some anticipate resistance, officials emphasise the urgent need to confront antisemitism and prevent discriminatory culture from becoming further entrenched.
Broader efforts to combat institutional antisemitism underscore the need for a cultural shift beginning at the highest levels of leadership. Advocates stress that Jewish communities require tangible action rather than dismissed concerns, highlighting the importance of treating patients solely on medical grounds and assessing healthcare staff by their professionalism. They insist that NHS leaders be held responsible when racism and discrimination persist.
The call to action underscores the necessity for the NHS to remain a place of care and inclusion, ensuring that all patients and staff, including those of Jewish faith, feel valued and safe within the health service.