
UK health service clarifies policy to deny care to 'homophobic' patients
FREE Catholic Classes
ritain's National Health Service has clarified a new policy that will allow patients found to be homophoic, racist, and sexist to be denied non-emergency treatment.

Highlights
2/20/2020 (5 years ago)
Published in Europe
Keywords: HEALTH CARE REFORM, LONDON, ENGLAND, EUROPE
London, England, (CNA) - Britain's National Health Service has clarified a new policy that will allow patients found to be homophoic, racist, and sexist to be denied non-emergency treatment.
Under the new rules, medical professionals can refuse non-emergency care to patients who harass, bully, or discriminate against them. The policy was announced on Feb. 18, and will go into effect in April.
Previously, a medical professional was only permitted to deny non-emergency care to verbally aggressive or physically violent patients. The new policy will expand this criteria to include any harassment, including homophobia, sexism, and racism.
The U.K.'s Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote to NHS staff announcing the change on Tuesday, stating "no act of violence or abuse is minor," and that "being assaulted or abused is not part of the job."
A 2019 survey of NHS staff revealed that more than one in four NHS workers have reported being "bullied, harassed or abused" in the last year. Approximately one in seven NHS workers said they had been physically attacked.
Hancock said that "Far too often I hear stories that the people you are trying to help lash out," and that "I've seen it for myself in [emergency rooms], on night shifts, and on ambulances."
The survey also found that NHS staff who worked in patients in emergency wards, with mental health issues or learning disabilities experienced more abuse and violence than workers at other NHS locations.
CNA asked the NHS to clarify how a patient would be deemed racist or homophobic, and if they could be denied care due to a staff member's perception or inference of their religious beliefs. CNA questioned if someone such as a Catholic priest or Imam could be removed from an NHS trust due to their religious opposition to same-sex marriage and homosexual activity.
An NHS spokesperson told CNA that the policy would only extend to people who made discriminatory comments to a member of the staff while they were receiving treatment.
"A person's personal beliefs or any historical views are entirely irrelevant for this policy - a person would only be refused treatment if they made openly discriminatory remarks to a staff member at that time," a spokesman for NHS England, said to CNA.
Taylor also clarified that certain medical conditions that may impact a person's decision making skills or verbal filter would be considered when making a decision to deny care.
"Things like the patient's mental health, any sort of cognitive impairment will also be taken into account," said the spokesman. "So someone showing obvious signs of dementia would not be refused treatment in this circumstance."
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

IRS Declares Churches Can Now Endorse Political Candidates Without Losing Tax-Exempt Status

Judge Temporarily Blocks Federal Defunding of Planned Parenthood Amid Legal Battle

Pope Leo XIV Shows Us the Only Way to Peace: Start with the Children
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Wednesday, July 09, 2025
St. Veronica Giuliani: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Prayer for a Happy Death: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Daily Readings for Tuesday, July 08, 2025
St. Grimbald: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, July 08, 2025
- Look over me lord : Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, July 08, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.