Key Summary
- The review will be led by Lord John Mann, who will look at how to protect patients and staff from racism and hold perpetrators to account
- Prime minister Keir Starmer said racial discrimination "goes against everything our country stands for"
- The NHS staff will be required to undergo the updated mandatory antisemitism and antiracism training
The government has ordered a review of antisemitism and all forms of racism in the NHS, as part of wider efforts to tackle discrimination in the health service.
The review will be led by Lord John Mann, who will look at how to protect patients and staff from racism and hold perpetrators to account.
This move comes after the recent incidents of antisemitism from doctors.
Prime minister Keir Starmer said the discrimination staff and patients have faced because of their race or religion "goes against everything our country stands for".
"The NHS was built on the principle that everyone should be treated equally and with respect, and I am determined to restore this to the heart of the health service.
"That’s why I have asked Lord Mann to root out this problem and ensure perpetrators are always held to account," he said.
Lord Mann said the review will look at the issues that can undermine the confidence of individuals when seeking or receiving healthcare.
"Recently, shocking examples have raised concerns about the operation and efficiency of independent healthcare professional regulators, some of which have been slow to crack down and investigate incidents of hate."
Lord Mann’s review will examine how the regulatory system for healthcare professionals tackles antisemitism and other forms of racism at every stage, from employment through to professional oversight.
It will also look at regulatory processes, transparency in investigations, reporting mechanisms, and how zero-tolerance policies can be more effectively implemented across the health service.
At the same time, all 1.5 million NHS staff will be required to complete updated mandatory antisemitism and antiracism training.
The staff will be asked to refresh their training immediately when the updated content becomes available shortly, rather than waiting for the standard 3-year cycle.
The government is also asking NHS England to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and set clear expectations that every trust, integrated care board and arm’s length body does the same.
The government is also reviewing the recommendations of the independent working group on Islamophobia.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said, "The NHS should be there for all of us when we need it - regardless of income, race or religion. Discrimination undermines everything our health service stands for and undermines its ability to provide quality care.
"I have been appalled by recent incidents of antisemitism by NHS doctors, and I will not tolerate it. There can be no place in our NHS for doctors or staff continuing to practise after even persistently using antisemitic or hateful language," he said.
Andrew Gilbert, vice president of British Jews, said, "We welcome the new measures announced today to tackle antisemitism within the NHS, particularly the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a much needed review on regulators led by Lord Mann and an expansion of effective antisemitism training.
"For much of the last two years, Jewish staff and patients have felt let down by the NHS while antisemitism has been allowed to flourish and thrive with hospitals, medical schools and other health spaces becoming unwelcoming for Jews."
The Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA) had recently come out in support of the issues raised by the national Social Partnership Forum (SPF) regarding an increase in abuse and harassment of NHS staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.