Ban on niqabs for staff at London hospitals

  19 September 2013    Read: 982
Ban on niqabs for staff at London hospitals
At least 17 NHS hospitals have banned front line staff from wearing the veil, The Telegraph has learned, as ministers called for new guidelines to ensure all patients can have "face to face" contact with those who care for them.
The Government last night ordered a review of all health service policies on workers` uniforms. It will ask professional regulators to draw up clear rules so that communication with patients is always given priority over the right of a nurse or doctor to wear a veil.

It follows indications from David Cameron that he would support public sector bodies wishing to ban staff from covering their faces. MPs have called for a national debate on the issue.

An investigation by The Telegraph has found 17 NHS hospitals across five NHS trusts which have already quietly instituted a ban on front line staff wearing the niqab — a full veil which covers the face — while in contact with patients.

There are 160 NHS trusts in England. With no national guidance, the vast majority make no such ruling, leaving decisions to the discretion of local managers. In some cases, uniform policies specifically state that the veil can be worn by front line staff for religious reasons.

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