Lord John Mann will lead the review, which 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 anti-racism training, with existing equality, diversity and human rights programmes being expanded to include:

• Enhanced content on discrimination and antisemitism
• New assessment questions to test understanding
• Training developed with equality and antisemitism subject matter experts
• Content aligned to core skills training framework

Staff will be asked to refresh their training immediately when the updated content becomes available shortly, rather than waiting for the standard three-year cycle.

The government is also asking NHS England will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and set clear expectations that every trust, ICB, and arms-length body does the same. The government is also reviewing the recommendations of the independent working group on Islamophobia.

NHS England is reviewing the uniform and workwear guidance last updated in 2020, in light of recent successful approaches rolled out at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.  NHS England will engage stakeholders on its proposals and issue new guidance shortly. The guidance will protect freedom of religious expression while ensuring patients feel respected at all times. The guidance will not impact staff's freedom to protest and speak out on political issues, but it will ensure that the political views of staff do not impact on patient care.

Sir Keir 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.'

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.

‘Patients put their lives in the hands of healthcare professionals. They treat us at our most vulnerable. They therefore have a special responsibility to provide total comfort and confidence.'

Lord Mann said: ‘The NHS and the health sector pride themselves on being welcoming, inclusive and professional in dealings with every one of us, as we are all patients at different times and in different ways throughout our entire life.

‘Everyone in the country should be confident in these underlying principles at all times.'

‘This review will look at the issues that can undermine the confidence of individuals when seeking or receiving healthcare. Ensuring that the systems and culture of regulation across the health service match, at all times,  the universal principles and ethics that underpin our NHS will be the sole focus of this work.'

Lord Mann will report to Streeting with practical recommendations to strengthen protections against antisemitism and other forms of racism in healthcare.

Reaction

Andrew Gilbert, vice-president for security, resilience and cohesion, Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: ‘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 government's plans are a step towards addressing these urgent issues that will make the NHS a safer place for Jews to work and receive care, however, these changes should be seen as a spring board for further changes and not a ‘fix-all' with issues remaining on the classification of Jews as an ethnicity, the lack of repercussions of medical staff accused of antisemitism and health inequalities in the Jewish community.'

The Jewish Medical Association said: ‘For the past two years the Jewish Medical Association has become increasingly concerned about blatant expressions of antisemitism - simply anti-Jewish racism - that have become widely tolerated across healthcare. British Jewish healthcare students, professionals and patients find this profoundly distressing and intimidating.

‘The JMA welcomes Lord Mann's review of the role of regulators in eliminating this toxic culture for Jews.'

Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: ‘Tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism involves clear communication of a zero-tolerance stance, implementing systemic changes, and creating a supportive environment for all employees.

‘That's why we fully support roll out of the comprehensive measures announced today by the government. Our diverse workforce is the backbone of the NHS. It must be cared for, celebrated and respected for the outstanding care that it provides.

‘At the same time, our patients, colleagues and communities need to be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. No one should be subjected to discrimination or abuse of any kind, within or outside of the workplace.'

Jacob Lant, chief executive of National Voices, said: ‘Being anti-racist is not about making grand statements, it is about taking consistent action to end discrimination and inequity. What the Prime Minister has set out today is an important commitment to action in the NHS, using the levers of training and regulation to build a health and care workforce that is committed to ending racism.

‘This can help our sector not just challenge overt racist acts, like violence and intimidation, but also address the underlying systemic issues which means our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities continue to experience some of the worst access, experiences and outcomes from healthcare.'