Trust reviewing ‘speak English’ rule after social media criticism, says NHSE

A document published under the ‘trust values’ section of Homerton University Hospital Foundation Trust’s website, says: “I will only communicate in English in the presence of others.”

The document (see below, left), written in 2014 but reposted by the trust in 2019, has been widely shared on social media in the last 24 hours, with many criticising the trust for its wording.

Partha Kar, NHS England’s director of equality – medical workforce, was among those who questioned the wording on Twitter, and has since said the trust has been in touch with him and acknowledged the wording “could be better”.

He also said the trust told him it would “embark on work to coproduce a new strategy and [undertake a] review of values, taking diverse staff views in mind”.

A trust spokesman confirmed the values document would be reviewed, stating that it was eight years old.

However, in a statement, the trust did not row back from the wording about speaking English. It said: “Our trust values were drawn up following extensive engagement with staff, patients and other stakeholders.

“We ask staff to communicate in English in the presence of others. This is to ensure that we are inclusive of everyone and in many situations to ensure safety. Our commitment is part of respecting other colleagues and patients, by including them in conversations taking place in the workplace.”

It follows a separate notice being posted on Twitter yesterday, signed simply by “Matron”, by a doctor who said her friend saw it at her “hospital placement” (see image right, below). It seemingly threatened staff with “disciplinary action” if they spoke any other language other than English.

It was unclear whether the notice was current, and where it was seen, but Professor Kar linked it to Homerton.

But the trust has now said: “We have investigated the poster used on Twitter and cannot find any evidence that it is or was present on our property.”

This article was updated extensively at 5.46pm on 16 March to reflect Professor Kar’s update and the trust statement.