Conservatives would ban political badges in NHS

Health secretary Victoria Atkins has said a Conservative Government will ban NHS workers from wearing political badges.

Victoria Atkins (c) UK Parliament

Victoria Atkins (c) UK Parliament

Speaking to The Jewish Chronicle, Atkins said she had already held conversations with NHS England about a ban.

Atkins said: ‘Our hospitals, surgeries and other healthcare settings should not be places where individuals express their political views, but environments that enable people simply to get health care quickly and safely.

‘Working with NHS England, I know they share these concerns, as do NHS trust executives — and indeed, the overwhelming majority of people who work in the NHS.'

Atkins was speaking following a surge in the number of doctors, nurses and other NHS staff wearing Palestinian badges since massacre of Israelis by militant Palestinian groups on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Gaza conflict.

The health secretary also referred to an incident where a nine-year-old Jewish boy was allegedly thrown out of bed at Manchester Royal Infirmary by a nurse wearing Palestinian flags.

Incidents of antisemitism are on the rise with 66 allegations reported to the General Medical Council between 7 October 2023 and the end of March 2024 compared with none in 2022. 

Lack of investment 'threatens' shift to community care, says CQC

Lack of investment 'threatens' shift to community care, says CQC

By Lee Peart 24 October 2025

A lack of investment in community services threatens the 10-Year Health Plan’s goal of shifting care closer to home, according to the CQC.

NHS trusts trial digital app to help patients quit smoking

By Liz Wells 22 October 2025

Patients admitted to selected acute and mental health NHS trusts in the North East and Yorkshire are being offered access to a digital app to help them quit ...

Welsh health secretary to hold NHS to account

By Liz Wells 21 October 2025

Welsh health secretary Jeremy Miles is aiming to improve accountability and transparency in the NHS by holding a series of public meetings.


Popular articles by Lee Peart