BMA demands Operating Theatre 'Hijaabs'!

[RUMS ISoc]

Assalaamu alaikum dear brothers and sisters.

Some good news.. BMA MSc conference took place -you may remember an email being sent out about a motion being put forward regarding 'theatre' hijabs, and how only some hospitals were providing appropriate dress for the sisters. The motion was passed, alhamdolillah. The following is now offical BMA policy:

That this conference:

(i) believes that medical schools/teaching hospitals should show innovation and flexibility in accommodating the religious practices of its students, so long as they do not compromise patient care

(ii)notes, with sadness, the difficulties faced by those in the profession wearing Hijaabs (headscarves) or other clothes required for religious observance when entering operating theatres and directs the British Medical Association to demand that all NHS Trusts provide material suitable for forming a "Theatre" Hijaab in their operating theatres, for use by any member of staff who chooses to wear one

(iii) calls on the MSC to encourage simple developments which allow health professionals to observe their religious freedoms to also be made available to students to ensure that they do not miss out on learning opportunities.

Thankyou to everyone who got involved in addressing this issue, inshallah the hundreds of medical student sisters will have an easier time of their surgical attachments and careers in the future.

I think this also demonstrates that our fellow non muslim professionals are not unreasonable, and providing we make them aware of our requirements are usually happy to help.

Wasallam,

WebMaster

[NMA]

AA,

Following the recent announcement that the BMA had voted in a meeting to demand that hospitals provide 'Hijaab' for the sisters going into operating theatres, we recieved some questions regarding exactly what form this 'Hijaab' will take.

I havn't had an official explanation of this, but the concern is that if it is simply a piece of fabric to be worn as a headscraf, it may still be inappropriate for the sisters, due to the V neck- short sleeve 'scrubs' that are standard wear.

I think this may become an issue in the future. Reading through the announcement, it appears that only a headscarf is specifically mentioned as hijaab. But the document is fairly wide ranged, in that it also mentions other dress required to meet religious observances, and it asks the hospitals to make small reasonable changes to accomodate people.

Hence I think that unless there is a document from the BMA providing guidance on what the hospitals can do, this will be on an individual basis with each hospital. I do not at present know if such a document is planned. That said, the BMA headquarters is a whole 2 minute walk from UCL main campus, so perhaps a small delegation might wish to go there and ask?

Discussion on the forums please...

WS

NMA

[yasmin]

salam al alaikum,
regarding that, wot i did in my work experience (shock at the suggestion at wot they said to wear, i told them im sposd to wear long sleeve, so after ages of waitin, someone brought me the overall or w/e its called - the long sleeved robe thing that the surgeons doing the operating wear), and also alhamdulillah, i had a safety pin which i used to pin the v neck bit an make it proper neck that was covering.
so i hope this piece of advice helps any sisters (im not sure of the guarantee tht theyll be able to bring u the overall, but if its available for the surgeons then there shud be some tht they can get for u, especially if u stand ur ground an let them know whats required of u)
oh yeh, NMA, readin ur post, has there been another document released, and would it still be appropriate for a group of students to go to bma headquarters and ask (and wot would they do once they got there?)
wasalam
yasmin