Hospital staff turn beds to Mecca

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7127029.stm

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Hospital beds of seriously ill Muslim patients are to be turned to face Mecca as part of changes aimed at helping patients uphold their Islamic faith.

Dewsbury District Hospital in West Yorkshire will also provide Halal meals and make changes to shower facilities.

Staff at the hospital will take part in training sessions to teach them how to help patients with their faith worship.

A Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said it wanted to improve its service for Muslim patients.

This included staff positioning the beds of "very ill" Muslim patients to face the Qibla in Mecca if requested to do so by the patient.

Hospital matron Catherine Briggs said she had spoken to Muslim patients about how the service could be improved.

She said: "We always do our best to listen to our patients and are willing to adapt our nursing practices where possible to help patients uphold their cultural beliefs."