Watford General Hospital has confirmed that staff should not wear badges or accessories displaying political messages after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raised concerns about an apparent Palestine Solidarity Campaign badge worn in the hospital.
UKLFI wrote to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust after a Jewish patient reported seeing a member of staff wearing a round white badge bearing the letters “PSC” in the Accident and Emergency waiting area on 6 July 2026.
The patient said that the badge, which she assumed indicated support for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, made her feel intimidated and concerned that she might need to conceal her Jewish identity for fear of receiving discriminatory or less favourable treatment.
UKLFI warned the Trust that political campaigning material worn by NHS staff could create an intimidating or hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli patients, and in some cases could prevent them seeking treatment.
In its response, the Trust said that it had not yet been able to confirm either the identity of the staff member or whether the badge was as described. Its initial inquiries had established that the person concerned was not a member of the Emergency Department team, but it said that further inquiries would be made.
The Trust nevertheless confirmed that staff are expected to wear only NHS-issued or NHS-appropriate lanyards and badges while at work. It added:
“The Trust is also clear that clothing, badges, accessories or other items that may be considered offensive or could adversely affect public confidence in the impartiality of NHS services should not be worn in the workplace.”
The Trust also said that employees and managers must ensure that clothing and accessories do not display political or religious statements, slogans or messages that may be inappropriate in a clinical environment.
UKLFI had referred the Trust to the recent review of antisemitism in the NHS led by Lord Mann, which concluded that political identifiers had no place in the health service and that patients must feel safe and respected. UKLFI asked the hospital to investigate the incident and remind all staff not to wear political badges or accessories at work.
The Trust said that it took its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 seriously and was committed to ensuring that neither patients nor staff were subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation. It said that any necessary action arising from its inquiries would be taken.
A spokesperson for UKLFI said:
“We welcome the Trust’s clear confirmation that political badges and messages which could undermine public confidence in the impartiality of NHS care should not be worn by staff.
“Jewish and Israeli patients must be able to enter a hospital without fearing that the person treating them may be hostile towards them or their identity. We hope the Trust will now complete its investigation and remind all staff of this important policy.”