University College London Hospital will be reminding all staff that wearing, displaying, or circulating political symbols, messages, or materials within Trust premises is not acceptable.

This follows an incident of a receptionist displaying a Free Palestine wristband, in view of Jewish patients.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) wrote to Chief Executive David Probert, setting out the concerns of Jewish patients and those who accompanied them, who had been upset to see political symbols and slogans being displayed. UKLFI had pointed out that if any member of staff at the hospital is displaying pro-Palestine accessories, this could breach Section 29 (3) of the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) as it is likely to harass Jewish and Israeli patients, in that it would create a hostile and intimidating atmosphere for them.

According to Section 26 of the Act, “A person (A) harasses another (B) if—(a) A engages in unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, and (b) the conduct has the purpose or effect of …  (ii) creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for B.”

There have been other instances of political symbols displayed at UCLH since October 2023 including

• Palestine flags and symbols being worn by a midwife, when assisting a Jewish couple in the birth of their child
• A poster on the hospital wall accusing Israel of slaughtering children and starving and killing Palestinians in Gaza.

Mr Probert apologised to UKLFI for having to write again on this subject and gave assurance that the hospital was actively looking into the latest incident.  He said that “Appropriate action will be taken in line with the Trust’s policies once our enquiries are complete.” He also assured UKLFI that UCLH would  also be reiterating to all staff that wearing, displaying, or circulating political symbols, messages, or materials within Trust premises is not acceptable.

He wrote: “Staff are being reminded of their responsibilities to uphold UCLH’s values and to maintain a neutral, inclusive, and professional environment at all times.  UCLH is committed to ensuring that all patients, visitors, and staff feel safe, respected, and welcome when accessing our services. Discriminatory, political, or distressing material has no place within our hospitals, and we will continue to take steps to prevent any recurrence.”

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented:

“Hospitals must remain strictly neutral environments where patients of every background can feel safe and supported. For Jewish and Israeli patients, seeing highly charged political slogans or symbols in a clinical setting  can be deeply distressing.

We are grateful to UCLH for taking these concerns seriously and for reaffirming that political messaging has no place within NHS premises.”