‘It is a very uncomfortable position to be in, when those who are entrusted with your family’s health hold views that are hostile to the Jewish people’
September 10, 2025 09:25
A hospital boss has apologised after a member of the birthing team of a Jewish mother-to-be arrived to treat her decked out in pro-Palestine paraphernalia.
David Probert, the chief executive of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), offered his “sincere apologies” for any distress caused to the Jewish couple who took issue with political symbols, describing the incident, which took place in May, as “regrettable”.
The nurse in question – who, it emerged, following an internal investigation, turned out to be not a UCLH employee but a student on placement – was wearing a watermelon lanyard, a watch featuring a Palestinian flag, a Palestinian-themed heart-shaped badge and an inverted triangle badge with a keffiyeh pattern when the couple encountered her.
Recounting the experience, the husband, who did not want to be identified, said: “We are not necessarily obviously identifiable as Jewish, but I questioned whether she knew or suspected it, and if we would be treated ay differently as a consequence.
“The individual was making a very clear and conscious statement about her political beliefs.
He added: “It is a very uncomfortable position to be in, when those who are entrusted with your family’s health and wellbeing hold views that are so blatantly hostile to the Jewish people.”
Lobby group UK Lawyers for Israel lodged a complaint with the trust on the couple’s behalf after they reported their experience.
Probert, who also serves as the deputy chief executive of NHS England, said that a trust-wide memo had been circulated to all staff reminding them of the organisation’s uniform policy and that wearing political symbols is prohibited. Staff who fail to adhere to the policy will face appropriate action, it said.
The hospital chief added that he had personally reiterated the importance of compliance with UCLH’s uniform guidelines during a recent all-staff briefing.
UCLH remains “committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment for all patients and visitors”, he said.
A spokesperson for UKLFI said: “We are grateful that the chief executive of UCLH NHS Foundation Trust has taken decisive action to prevent any future similar distressing incidents.”
A different patient at the same London hospital recently described how they were left feeling "vulnerable and scared" after being confronted with posters on the walls reading: "Zionism is poison".
The posters, which were subsequently removed, read: “Israel is starving and killing Palestinians in Gaza. Children are being slaughtered beyond measure. We have a voice, they don’t. We are the generation that can influence the system and government.”
The patient, who did not wish to disclose her identity said at the time, "I’m an outpatient, but God forbid [those] in other circumstances to feel so vulnerable already and be surrounded by hostility. [It would be] so scary. I shouldn’t have to remove my Star of David necklace to go to a hospital visit."
It was not clear whether the posters were put up by a member of staff, patient or other member od the public. UCLH promptly took down the posters when alerted to them and staff were reminded not to display to political messages in the hospital.
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