Keir Starmer Orders Urgent Review into NHS Antisemitism Amid Rising Concerns

Prime Minister Acts on NHS Antisemitism

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered an urgent review into antisemitism within the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. The announcement, made on October 16, 2025, comes amidst growing concerns that 'clear cases' of antisemitism have not been adequately addressed within the health service. The review will be led by Lord John Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism.

Speaking during a visit to the Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation dedicated to protecting Jewish communities, Prime Minister Starmer stated, 'We have heard loud and clear in the last few days and weeks that words are not enough, action is what matters.' He further emphasised the necessity of the review, noting, 'There are just too many examples, clear examples, of antisemitism that have not been dealt with adequately or effectively.'

Scope and Objectives of the Review

The urgent review, confirmed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is a direct response to 'recent incidents of antisemitism from doctors, which drew stark attention to problems of culture and the regulation in the health system.' Its primary objectives include examining:

• How to protect patients and staff from racism and hold perpetrators to account.
• The regulatory system for healthcare professionals, specifically how it tackles antisemitism and other forms of racism at every stage, from employment through to professional oversight.
• Regulatory processes, transparency in investigations, reporting mechanisms, and the effective implementation of zero-tolerance policies.

Lord Mann indicated that his review would 'look at the issues that can undermine the confidence of individuals when seeking or receiving healthcare.'

Additional Measures and Context

Alongside the review, several other measures have been announced as part of a wider crackdown on antisemitism in the UK:

• A £10 million funding boost for security at Jewish amenities, including synagogues and schools.
• The immediate rollout of strengthened mandatory antisemitism and anti-racism training for all 1.5 million NHS staff.
• A review by NHS England of uniform and workwear guidance to 'protect freedom of religious expression while ensuring patients feel respected at all times.'
• A request for NHS England and other healthcare bodies to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his strong condemnation, stating, '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 persistently using antisemitic or hateful language.' The announcement follows a terrorist attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester and comes as antisemitic hate crime figures remain near record levels.

Addressing Deep-Seated Concerns

The review addresses concerns highlighted by organisations such as the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), whose CEO, Claudia Mendoza, stated that 'Antisemitism in the NHS has been out of control.' Incidents cited in various reports include a Jewish patient encountering political propaganda in a hospital room, an NHS employee telling a Jewish patient to 'Get your Jewish ambulance to come and get you,' and a Jewish doctor receiving a hijab as a 'Secret Santa' gift. These examples underscore the urgency of the review to restore trust and ensure a safe environment for all within the NHS.