Mick Hartley

7 responses to “Emotionally Torn Apart”

1. 

   Dom

   September 1, 2008

   Sometimes, when you hear things like this, your mind just explodes because you have so much to say. Where did this sense of exceptionalism come from? Vicious, nightmare, trauma, torn apart … because the hospital wants a moslem woman to bare her forearms. You just want to say, “get over yourself.”

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2. 

   dearieme

   September 1, 2008

   In this country, I sometimes think, we use “fuck off” too casually. It should be reserved for situations like that.

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3. 

   tolkein

   September 2, 2008

   She’s a radiographer for heaven’s sake. She’s not working with patients, she’s working a machine. So Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State, has decreed this policy, has he? What does he know? Why apply it so indiscriminately? If a policy is introduced which disproportionately affects one group of people compared to others and there is no other way of achieving the objective that is surely discrimination. So we now have forced someone doing a perfectly good job to choose between her job and beliefs that were fine one day and suddenly are no longer fine. What’s next? Making it compulsory for nurses and doctors to take part in carrying out abortions? Aren’t you secularists a piece of work?

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4. 

   tolkein

   September 2, 2008

   Oh, and this policy was introduced following a BMA review. The Department of Health (DoH) guidance document Uniforms and Workwear, which is the basis of introducing “Bare Below the Elbows” says the following,
   “There is no conclusive evidence that uniforms (or other work clothes) pose a significant hazard in terms of spreading infection.”
   Based on empirical research conducted by University College London Hospital NHS Trust (UCLH), the DoH document concluded that, “Not all staff need to wear uniforms, and it seems unlikely that uniforms are a significant source of cross-infection.”
   In September 2007, the British Medical Association (BMA) launched its latest statement, in which Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, head of BMA Science and Ethics, said, “The BMA is pleased that the government has taken on board many of the recommendations outlined in our report on reducing hospital-acquired infections, for example the call for doctors to stop wearing ties and white coats in hospitals and how it was preferable for clinicians to wear short-sleeves.” However, Nathanson warned any new guidelines on dress code must be “practical, realistic, and sensitive to different religious groups.”
   The guidance from the Central Consultants and Specialists Committee (CCSC) stated that, “However, the policy must be seen as a corporate image and identity issue, for negotiation, rather than an infection control issue which LNCs are asked to agree with without question.”
   The guidance clarified that, “The CCSC is particularly concerned that the Secretary of State’s “Bare Below the Elbows” policy is not supported by demonstrable scientific evidence and was issued hastily in response to an intense period of media focus on the issue. The CCSC and the wider BMA support evidence backed policies aimed at fighting infection rates in hospitals but believes that such policies should be introduced on the basis of clear evidence and in partnership with clinicians locally.”
   I’m not Muslim- I’m Christian- but this policy does seem like a ‘drop dead’ comment to devout Muslims. Why do this?
   If you think it’s related to hand washing, I think you should know that Islam has no problem with regular arm or wrist or hand washing, including the use of alcohol gels.

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5. 

   Mick H

   September 2, 2008

   She refused to roll her sleeves up for religious reasons, for Christ’s sake (if you’ll pardon the expression). Someone working in the NHS. Big fucking deal, as Ophelia B so eloquently put it. You expect me to take this seriously? You expect me to take your outrage seriously?

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6. 

   Dom

   September 2, 2008

   Tolkien, you quote the DoH saying, “There is no conclusive evidence that uniforms (or other work clothes) pose a significant hazard in terms of spreading infection”
   … and then you quote the BMA calling for “doctors to stop wearing ties and white coats in hospitals and how it was preferable for clinicians to wear short-sleeves.”
   Oddly, you cite both quotes as support.
   And what about this: “Nathanson warned any new guidelines on dress code must be … sensitive to different religious groups.” May I ask why?

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7. 

   tolkein

   September 2, 2008

   “She refused to roll her sleeves up for religious reasons, for Christ’s sake (if you’ll pardon the expression). Someone working in the NHS. Big fucking deal, as Ophelia B so eloquently put it. You expect me to take this seriously? You expect me to take your outrage seriously?”
   But if there’s no conclusive evidence that it’s necessary? And if the job she did didn’t come into contact with patients? What’s the point in sacking her? Just because you want to?
   “Oddly, you cite both quotes as support.
   And what about this: “Nathanson warned any new guidelines on dress code must be … sensitive to different religious groups.” May I ask why?”
   Seems obvious to me. No conclusive evidence, but prudential to wear short sleeves. But make sure that, because it is just prudential (that is, you’re not sure, but to be on the safe side), you take account of staff’s sensitivity.
   The other point to note was the suggestion that this policy was being implemented in reaction to a press campaign about cleanliness in hospitals. Surely not.

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