Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) has amended its uniform policy following representations from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) and staff regarding the display of political symbols in clinical settings.

On 13 February 2026, UKLFI wrote to the Trust concerning a doctor who had been wearing a Palestinian flag badge on her lanyard and displaying a watermelon symbol on her laptop while working on a hospital ward. The doctor had continued to wear the symbol despite being asked to remove it.   UKLFI raised concerns that the display of overt political symbols in a healthcare environment risked creating an intimidating or hostile atmosphere for Jewish and Israeli patients and staff, and referred to the Trust’s obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

In its letter, UKLFI emphasised that hospitals are places where patients are particularly vulnerable and that healthcare professionals should not display political symbols that may cause distress or discomfort to those in their care. It called on the Trust to introduce or clarify a dress code prohibiting political symbols or slogans at work and to ensure that any such policy is enforced.

New Policy Restrictions on Badges and Lanyards

CPFT has now amended its guidance on lanyards and badges. The amended guidance says that a maximum of two pin badges may be worn, but “only badges that are issued by CPFT, the NHS, or a recognised professional body or badges identifying a recognised professional role are allowed.”

While the amended wording does not explicitly refer to “political symbols,” the restriction limiting pin badges to those issued by CPFT, the NHS, recognised professional bodies, or identifying recognised professional roles effectively excludes political campaign badges from being worn in clinical settings.

Protecting Neutrality in Healthcare

UKLFI welcomes CPFT’s decision to review and strengthen its uniform policy. The changes represent an important step toward ensuring that NHS clinical environments remain politically neutral spaces where all patients — regardless of race, religion or nationality — can feel safe and respected.

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented:  “Hospitals must be places of safety and neutrality, where patients can receive care without feeling intimidated, judged or exposed to political messaging. We are pleased that CPFT has taken steps to strengthen its uniform policy and to limit the display of non-professional badges in clinical settings.

Healthcare professionals serve a diverse public. It is essential that NHS environments remain inclusive and free from partisan symbolism so that all patients, including Jewish and Israeli patients, can feel confident and secure when accessing treatment.”