Should Hospitals Ban The Niqab?

[lynnmarie]

There has been a lot of news articles recently on whether doctors in hospitals should be banned from wearing the niqab. I am studying politics a level and this is one of the issues i will be conducting my debate on, so I was wondering if you could perhaps post your opinions on this issue here? Thankyou!

[nannybooby]

if it poses a danger to the wearer or the patient ,or is un hygienic then yes, otherwise I guess that it will be allowed - nuns wear habits !

[coccinelle]

Well, they are banned in France so no problem for me here but as a women wearing the niqab reminds me of the Death Eaters in Harry Potter I would definitely not want to be treated by somebody wearing one...!!

[vakayu]

Yes nannybooby but you can still see nuns facial expressions etc.

[coccinelle]

nannybooby, but the niqab covers all the body except a slit for the eyes... not like a nun's habit.

[DTCwordfan]

Other than allowing for hygiene levels, what's the difference between a nurse or doctor in an operating gimp suit and facial mask and a woman in an Abaya and Niqab? Actually not that much.

[lynnmarie]

Personally I would want to see the persons face who is treating me

[nannybooby]

calm down I only meant that if some religious garments were allowed how can you stop others unless you have good grounds.
lol loved the death eaters bit know exactly where you're coming from.

[vulcan42]

I'd hate to think this person was wielding a scalpel above me
http://freebeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/the-niqab1.jpg

[DaisyNonna]

Why should anybody undergo any medical procedure without being able to identify the person doing it? That includes answering questions.

[douglas9401]

Surely there's a compromise solution to be found.
Start with the younger members of staff and offer niqab teen replacement therapy.

[Baldric]

Looks like some have!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/nhs/10319264/Secret-ban-on-face-veils-for-staff-at-17-hospitals.html

[lynnmarie]

Some articles show that only few Muslim women actually wear the niqab these days, so some argue why should they bother enforcing a ban when barely anybody wears it? What do you guys think about this?

[Baldric]

I would not like to be examined/treated
by someone whose face was hidden.
So, Yes, ban them!

[DaisyNonna]

One is one more than enough.

[lynnmarie]

I respect religion, however I would find it intimidating being treated by someone wearing a niqab

[DaisyNonna]

I think it has been pointed out that the niqab is cultural, not a religious requirement.

[Baldric]

Someone will I'm sure mention surgical masks as a comparison,
They leave a reasonable area of the face uncovered, and therefore
show some facial expression which is an important part of communication

[lynnmarie]

Good points, thank you everyone :) Does anyone have any opinion on why hospitals shouldn't ban the niqab? I'm struggling myself, and I'd like it to be a balanced debate haha

[DTCwordfan]

There can be Niqabs and Niqabs so to speak, don't think that all of them are black and narrow slits for the eyes.

[New Judge]

I would not conduct any business of any sort with anybody who presented themselves to me in a full face mask. Whether or not it is safe or hygenic for them to do so is irrelevant. It is rude, bad mannered and discourteous to expect anybody to have dealings with you when you are so dressed.

Turning to the particular issue of the medical profession, I am fortunate to not have much dealings with “sawbones” but when I do I usually have difficulty understanding what is being said to me anyway as most of the practitioners I encounter seem not to have very good English. If they had they faces covered I would be denied the ability to see their expressions and read their lips. The comparisons with surgeons and the like wearing their medical masks when undertaking surgery is not appropriate. They have to wear their masks to prevent infection, but whenever they can they speak to their patients without their masks on.

There is no need for any “compromise” on this issue. The overwhelming majority of people in the UK do not deal with each other with their faces covered. It is not customary, it is unnecessary and offensive to do so. People wishing to work in the medical profession (or indeed in any other business) who feel it necessary to deal with people whilst masked up should consider whether they are really living in a part of the world that best suits their requirements.