Posted on 11/06/2006 8:36:41 AM PST by ch.man
The new look for Britain’s hospitals
THIS is the latest look coming to our NHS hospitals – a burka-style gown for patients.
Instead of standard issue clothing, women who want to cover up because of their faith are to be offered the striking turquoise garment.
Although welcomed by doctors as a breakthrough to encourage Muslim women to seek treatment, critics last night said the move was "another example of political correctness".
The "Inter-faith gown" is being piloted at Royal Preston Hospital after complaints from women that regulation dress was too revealing. Hospitals across the country are also being offered the £12 burkas by an NHS clothing supplier. Doctors say that many women do not show up for vital operations because they fear the procedure will mean them breaking strict Islamic law.
The hooded "Inter-faith gown" is designed to reveal nothing but the patients’ eyes and hands and yet allow access for surgeons.
Last night Conservative MP Philip Davies, who has campaigned against political correctness, said the dress would stir up resentment on wards because patients would believe others were getting special treatment.
"This may be viewed as a reasonable request from one particular group of patients but what I would like to ask is where does that request lie in a hospital’s priorities?" he said. "It is another example of political correctness because it is the sort of thing that has been brought in because the words ‘faith’ and ‘race’ have been mentioned.
"The average patient on a ward will look at this and be resentful because they will say to themselves: ‘This has been brought in because it is a Muslim request’.
"They themselves may have other requests, like more visiting hours, more flexible meal times or a brighter lamp for their bedside table, but they know they’ve got less chance of achieving this. A burka-style hospital gown is only high on the priority list because of the politically correct world we live in."
The gown was devised by Karen Jacob, the linen services manager for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which runs Royal Preston Hospital. Leeds-based company Interweave Textiles has taken on her design, offering the gowns on a free trial in Preston.
Bosses say the response has been "overwhelming" and they expect other trusts to buy them so they can offer the option to Muslims. The price will be £240 for a batch of 20 garments. It marks the first change from the regulation gown seen on wards for decades.
A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "It has been brought in because some ladies simply felt they could not wear the normal gown which, as we all know, can show parts of us we do not want on show.
"Muslim patients have given us very good feedback and our doctors are also happy because it means they are helping and improving the health of patients who they would not normally see.
"We have had examples of people not showing up for surgeries or operations. This can only help.
"As we have come up with the idea, we will work in partnership with the textile company to sell the gown to other NHS trusts and then share profits."
Inventor Ms Jacob added: "I noticed a gap in the market and thought that it would be great if there was a gown that helped to preserve a patient’s modesty."
The burka is the latest move to stir debate on priorities in the hard-pressed NHS. Health bosses in Wigan spent £700,000 on motivational speakers to inspire unhealthy patients to improve their diet – while cutting beds because of debts.
Heywood and Middleton Primary Care Trust in Greater Manchester paid out £2,500 for a sex-change sailor to have his tattoos removed so he could feel "more feminine".
gag
Been nice knowin' ya, EU. So long.
This article should be a warning to the women in the USA to vote tommorow.
If you want to go to Europe, better go soon, don't think I want to travel there much later than a couple of more years. I think Ireland is great though and Italy
France and England particularly London would be scary
Westerners have been complaining FOREVER about the crappy hospital gowns and doctors' office paper gowns......but it's the Muslims who effect the change. As Spock would say, "Fascinating".
Hey I wonder if being so covered it improves the resistance to bugs/virus'.
If that were the case and I was in some dirty ole hospital I would request a burka too.
How many doctors? How many women? Which operations?
Another ridiculous claim supported by no proof.
I am a health care professional. For years patients--male and female have complained about the hospital nightgowns and the modesty factor. The staff was usually able to put together a makeshift outfit--the patient put on the hospital gown as normal and then put another gown on like a coat--this covered the patient to just below the knees, front and back. For those who desired additional coverage we had pj bottoms and long sleeved housecoats. This arrangement would accomodate any patient. So except for the head gear, I do not see why there would be a necessity for the kind of political correctness that the Brits are attempting to achieve.
The outfit the model has on in the picture is not conducive to care in a critical care situation.
How come the rest of the world must accomodate the Muslims and they refuse to give an inch? If they want healthcare they are going to have to compromise a little of their excessive modesty.
Someone tell me how a doctor is supposed to treat these people if he has to do surgery on them, how do you treat someone when their whole body is covered. Maybe the women can only have eye surgery.
I like the American nurses better...bwahahahaha
So, when the doctor comes into the room, can she take off her green gown, spread her legs for an examination of her parts?
"Doctor, whats wrong with the patient?"
"Well, since we dressed them in the new gowns, all they can say is "EXTERMINATE, EXTERMINATE, EXTERMINATE!!!""."
unless a woman has a doctor in her family, any medical 'female' problem will go untreated. This results in many serious if not deadly problems.
i wonder if the creators of doctor who had female suicide bombers in mind.
Ah, the Mark III Travel Machine of Peace.
There are some serious problems in France as well, with male gynaecologists reporting violence against them from husbands of muslim women. There was a report lately of such an occurrence with the muslim man punching the physician and telling him he has no right to touch his wife on "muslim territory". (no joke at all)
They look like ku Kluxers..
How many of these leaches are actually paying any taxes to support the British Health system? These religious kooks are the biggest welfare bums in the UK
But nonetheless, the parasites will be catered to with their own hospital garb. Brit taxpayers will pick up the tab for these costumes. RIDICULOUS!
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