The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has pledged to consider “appropriate action” after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raised concerns that a surgeon wore a Palestine flag badge while operating on  a Jewish patient.  The Trust has also confirmed that it reminds staff of the principles of political neutrality in relation to their work.

UKLFI had been contacted by a patient whose doctor had carried out an operation on her in early July 2025, in the Royal Free Hospital, while wearing a Palestine flag badge on her lanyard.  The patient told UKLFI that she “found it extremely stressful to be treated by this doctor, given her blatant political views”  and that “she felt that the doctor could do her some harm.”

UKLFI wrote on 11 July 2025 to David Crampsey, Chief Executive of the Trust, which includes the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, and North Middlesex University Hospital, as well as other health facilities such as Finchley Memorial Hospital and Edgware Community Hospital

UKLFI explained what had happened to the patient and that “the display of a Palestine badge indicates support for the Palestinian cause, and conversely, opposition to the State of Israel.”

The letter argued that allowing staff to wear the Palestine Flag badge created an intimidating environment for Jewish and Israeli patients. It stated:

“It was extremely unprofessional and in breach of the GMC regulations for a doctor to be prioritising her own political opinions over care and empathy for her patients.”

UKLFI also raised concerns that wearing the badge could constitute harassment by the hospital, breaching Section 29 (3) of the Equality Act 2010 , since it may create “an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment” for Jewish patients. The letter also cited provisions of the Good Medical Practice guidelines, including those requiring doctors to “treat patients fairly” and to avoid expressing personal beliefs in ways that could cause distress.

UKLFI asked the Trust to confirm whether staff were permitted to wear political symbols and, if not, to ensure that dress code rules were enforced and breaches disciplined.

David Crampsey Chief Executive of the Royal Free London Foundation Trust replied on 21 August 2025,saying:

“Please be assured that these concerns are being looked into and that the Trust will consider any appropriate action having done so.”

He added that the Trust is “committed to creating a positive culture of respect for all individuals, including job applicants, employees, patients, their families.” Staff, he said, are reminded of “the principles of political neutrality in relation to their work.”   He said he was “deeply saddened” to hear that the patient felt that the doctor could do her some harm.

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented: “It is important that the Hospital staff abide by the principles of political neutrality, as not doing so can harm vulnerable patients.  We hope that the hospital staff who break these rules, and blatantly display their political affiliations will be appropriately disciplined.”