A zero tolerance policy for racism in the NHS

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2023-11, Vol.402 (10413), p.1619-1619
• Main Authors: Katz, David R, Sim, Fiona
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antisemitism; Councils; Education; Health care; Immunological tolerance; Medical personnel; Minority & ethnic groups; Professionals; Racism; Schools
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02352-8

The NHS has to be, and be seen to be, a strongly supportive environment for all patients and staff.1 We are, of course, devastated by the effects of Hamas’ deadly actions on Israel's civilians and distressed by the ensuing harm to civilian lives in both Israel and Gaza. Everyone involved needs to be aware that there is growing concern and fear among staff—general practitioners, consultants, junior doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals. Reports of racism in the UK have increased since Oct 7, 2023,3 and the NHS health-care environment needs to be immune against this. DRK is a representative on the Board of Deputies of British Jews and serves on several subcommittees; represents the Jewish Medical Association on the General Medical Council's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity strategic board and on several interfaith and ethnic minority boards; is elected on behalf of medical academics to the British Medical Association's Forum for Racial Equality and Equity and Professional Regulatory Committees; was in the interfaith Medical Schools Council group; and in 2014, was part of an international team that inspected Israeli medical schools for their Council for Higher Education.