Jewish healthcare professionals express concern about antisemitism in NHS

Doctors from the Jewish Medical Association have expressed serious concern about “unacceptable and explicit antisemitism” suffered by Jewish healthcare professionals in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on southern Israel.

In a letter to The Lancet, the leading medical journal, Professor David Katz and Dr Fiona Sim write: “Although these attacks might have come from a small number of people, it is nonetheless a serious problem. Furthermore, our colleagues have been exposed to open support for the massacres done by Hamas: Dr Elwan, a neurology registrar, posted on social media mocking people fleeing a massacre by Hamas at a music festival.”

Welcoming a statement made by Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, Professor Katz and Dr Sim note her stricture that “there must be no tolerance of outbreaks of racism (in which she includes both antisemitism and Islamophobia) and resultant abuse in the NHS at all times, including during the war”.

The JMA doctors say: “NHS has to be, and be seen to be, a strongly supportive environment for all patients and staff. 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”.  Ms Pritchard’s statement, they say, “is a crucial beginning. Its implementation at every level throughout the NHS, and beyond, is now essential”.

And they observe: “Everyone involved needs to be aware that there is growing concern and fear among staff—general practitioners, consultants, junior doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Patients, and their families, need to feel safe in the knowledge that those entrusted with their care never express racist— including antisemitic —views”.

A war of words is being fought in the pages of both The Lancet and the British Medical Journal, as doctors and health care professionals from both sides of the war weigh in with how to respond to the conflict. Two commentaries in The Lancet, one from each side, have attracted hundreds of international signatories, arguing their case.

A statement from the Department of Health and Social Care to Jewish News quoted a government spokesman saying: “We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel following the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas. All violence or abuse directed at health and social care staff is unacceptable.”

The DHSC added that the Health and Social Care Secretary, MP Stephen Barclay, “is clear that abuse or misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and has no place in the NHS. He is working closely with the NHS and earlier this year convened an meeting with NHS leaders to discuss how to root out this vile behaviour and ensure services are always safe for staff and patients”.