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Face veils in hospital under review Face veils in hospital under review
(about 1 hour later)
There is to be a review into whether NHS staff in England should be allowed to wear full face veils, according to the Department of Health.There is to be a review into whether NHS staff in England should be allowed to wear full face veils, according to the Department of Health.
Ministers have asked the doctors' regulator, the General Medical Council, to assess the issue to ensure there is "appropriate" face-to-face contact with patients.Ministers have asked the doctors' regulator, the General Medical Council, to assess the issue to ensure there is "appropriate" face-to-face contact with patients.
It follows an investigation by the Daily Telegraph which showed 17 hospitals had banned the veil.It follows an investigation by the Daily Telegraph which showed 17 hospitals had banned the veil.
There is no national guidance.There is no national guidance.
Some hospitals say the veil can be worn for religious reasons. The newspaper report showed others in West Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and east London ruled the clothing was not permitted in order to ensure effective communication.Some hospitals say the veil can be worn for religious reasons. The newspaper report showed others in West Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and east London ruled the clothing was not permitted in order to ensure effective communication.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC: "I think it is very important that patients do get proper contact with the doctors and nurses who are looking after them.Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC: "I think it is very important that patients do get proper contact with the doctors and nurses who are looking after them.
"Certainly if I was a patient myself, I'd want to be able to see the face of the doctor or nurse who was treating me.""Certainly if I was a patient myself, I'd want to be able to see the face of the doctor or nurse who was treating me."
However, he said hospitals should be able to come up with policies "in a way that is right in their area" and that national guidelines were a "matter for the professional standards bodies" rather than politicians.However, he said hospitals should be able to come up with policies "in a way that is right in their area" and that national guidelines were a "matter for the professional standards bodies" rather than politicians.
Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter told the Telegraph: "Being unable to see a health care professional's face can be a barrier to good and empathetic communication with patients and their families.Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter told the Telegraph: "Being unable to see a health care professional's face can be a barrier to good and empathetic communication with patients and their families.
"That is why I am writing to all health care regulators to ask them to look into this matter and to review their professional regulations, to ensure that there is always appropriate face-to-face contact between health care professionals and their patients.""That is why I am writing to all health care regulators to ask them to look into this matter and to review their professional regulations, to ensure that there is always appropriate face-to-face contact between health care professionals and their patients."
The shadow health minister, Andrew Gwynne, said the issue was "very sensitive" and that he hoped patients' wishes would be "taken on board by individual hospital trusts".
This week, Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne called for a national debate about wearing veils in public places such as schools.This week, Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne called for a national debate about wearing veils in public places such as schools.
Meanwhile, a judge ruled that a Muslim woman, who had refused to remove her niqab, was told she could stand trial wearing a full-face veil, but must remove it to give evidence.Meanwhile, a judge ruled that a Muslim woman, who had refused to remove her niqab, was told she could stand trial wearing a full-face veil, but must remove it to give evidence.
Judge Peter Murphy said: "The ability of the jury to see the defendant for the purposes of evaluating her evidence is crucial."Judge Peter Murphy said: "The ability of the jury to see the defendant for the purposes of evaluating her evidence is crucial."