UK's National Health Service Says Medical Staff Can Deny Non-Emergency Medical Care Over 'Racist, Homophobic or Sexist' Comments

Brittany M. Hughes | February 18, 2020
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Ever heard of the Hippocratic Oath? You know, the one that states: “Do no harm…unless you think your patient is a bigot and you don’t like them.”

Because apparently, that’s how the Brits are now reading it, seeing as health care providers in the U.K. can now deny non-emergency medical care to patients they deem to be racist, homophobic, sexist, or otherwise “abusive.”

According to updated guidance from the U.K.’s publicly funded National Health Service, or NHS, Sky News reports that medical providers right to deny medical care on grounds of “abuse” “will extend to any harassment, bullying or discrimination, including homophobic, sexist or racist remarks.”

A poll taken by the NHS found that “staff at ambulance, mental health and learning disability trusts were worst affected by abuse and violence,” Sky News adds.

‘There is far too much violence against NHS staff, and too much acceptance that it’s part of the job,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

“Far too often I hear stories that the people you are trying to help lash out. I’ve seen it for myself in A&Es, on night shifts, and on ambulances. I am horrified that any member of the public would abuse or physically assault a member of our NHS staff but it happens too often,” he added.

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