A rapid review of antisemitism and racism in the NHS will be launched to tackle discrimination in the health service. Lord Mann has been appointed to lead the review, which will examine how regulators handle incidents of discrimination and how zero-tolerance policies can be made more effective.
Stronger mandatory antisemitism and anti-racism training will also be rolled out for 1.5 million staff and NHS England will review its guidance. Announcing the review during a visit to the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism and provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, the Prime Minister said it was “clear cases are simply not being dealt with, and so we need to get to the root of that”.
He added: “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.”
The Government is also asking NHS England will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
Claudia Mendoza, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, said a lack of action against antisemitism had “undermined trust”.
She added: “Antisemitism in the NHS has been out of control. We have seen doctors describe hospitals as cesspits of ‘Jewish supremacy’ and praise Hamas as ‘legends’, with the regulators and tribunals not taking substantive action.
“It is vital that Jewish patients are able to trust that their healthcare providers will treat them without prejudice.
“The Government’s announcements today including the introduction of mandatory antisemitism training and the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism encouraged across the health service, are a welcome first step but must be the first of many.”
Sir Keir Starmer also announced that Jewish communities will receive up to £10 million in an emergency cash injection to scale up security at synagogues and schools.
The money will go towards more security staff and equipment, such as CCTV, alarms and floodlights, around Jewish community spaces.
The cash, which will be available immediately, comes two weeks after the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, which left two men dead.
The Prime Minister said: “I was in Manchester the day after the horrific terrorist attack and saw first-hand the fear that many Jewish people are facing. Not just on that terrible day, but every day, and in every part of their lives.
“The devastating truth is that antisemitism is on the rise in Britain, and we must defeat it. Tackling this hatred will not be solved with quick fixes. It will take work across communities and in every part of our country and every part of our society.”
Figures released by the Home Office last week suggested antisemitic hate crime remains near record levels.
Mark Gardner, CEO of Community Security Trust, said: “This is a vital emergency boost for security measures at a crucial time for the Jewish community, as we confront the aftermath of the appalling Islamist terrorist attack in Manchester.
“This fund will strengthen the security infrastructure protecting our synagogues, schools, and community buildings, at a time when Jews remain, proportionally, the most likely victims of hate crime in the UK.
“We are grateful for this announcement and will continue to work closely with the government and community partners: but the root causes of antisemitism and extremism must be acknowledged and tackled if long term change is to occur.”