A heated debate about an NHS course that asks if a patient's possible interest in "extreme right-wing" ideology is reason for alarm erupted on GB News this evening.The safeguarding question from the health body infuriated former Reform UK strategist Gawain Towler, who questioned why it is "always the right" that is used as an example. The point was disputed by Nigel Nelson, a political commentator for GB News, who said that such an interest merits notice. "It's a scenario, you check a box in one of these online training documents or modules," Towler explained.“It becomes very clear it must be to do with the Prevent programme. It is not just the NHS, it is across the public sector. It suggests if a midwife goes to check on a child, they should also be checking on the political health of the family.

“I think that is deeply concerning. I hold no candle for the far-right or far-left and I would not care if it was someone from Hope Not Hate or Antifa, if they are looking after the child, that is all that matters.”

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The question gives the user a scenario where a couple have just had a baby and are being visited by the community midwife.

The midwife notices “what looks like an extreme right-wing political organisation membership on the coffee table with some of the group’s promotional pamphlets”.

As part of the test, the user is then asked whether the matter should be considered a safeguarding risk.

The correct answer is then presented as: “Yes, seek more information or speak to your line manager or organisational safeguarding team, before deciding if there are any safeguarding risks.”Nigel Nelson argued: “The training people involved in Prevent get is to report any safeguarding issue they come across - this would equally apply if it were a Communist Party pamphlet.”

But Towler hit back, saying this was not the case and it is “always the right” being made an example of.

“If you found a Tory membership card there and you reported it, they would say don’t be silly”, Nigel continued.

“But if it’s the Ku Klux Klan, you would say ‘let’s look at this again’.Martin Daubney then argued the definition of far-right is blurred, and it may be considered appropriate to “grass up” Reform UK members as a result.

“It was the right answer”, Nelson argued - but Towler snapped: “No, the right answer is ‘none of your damn business’.”

An NHS England spokesperson told GB News: “This is important training as part of the government’s statutory Prevent duty, aimed at preventing terrorism and safeguarding those susceptible to radicalisation.”

Martin asked whether NHS funds are being wasted with the scheme as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attempts to carry out a series of ambitious reforms.

It comes as the Prime Minister prepares to announce his 'plan for change' for the NHS on Thursday, with a key focus on meeting the long-standing target of completing 92 per cent of operations within 18 weeks.

However, NHS officials have warned that meeting this target could turn A&E services into 'war zones' and impact mental health treatment delivery.

The NHS has recently received a £22 billion funding boost for day-to-day spending as part of Labour's first Budget, which raised £40 billion in tax.

Despite record-high spending levels and increased staffing since the pandemic, NHS productivity remains below 2019 levels.

The health service is now facing pressure to deliver improvements alongside this substantial funding increase.