Some female Muslim medical students are flouting tough new hygiene rules aimed at stamping out hospital superbugs.
The new guidelines, issued by the Department of Health, require that medical staff are bare armed in the operating theatre and roll up their sleaves while washing their hands. The measures are deemed necessary to halt the spread of infections like MRSA and Clostridium difficile. Some Muslim women believe that baring their forearms is immodest under Islam.
Incidences of non-compliance have been highlighted at several UK medical schools. Academics from Liverpool University revealed that female Muslim students working at the Alder Hey hospital had objected to rolling up their sleaves.
Similar concerns were voiced at Leicester University, where minutes from a medical faculty meeting commented that: "A number of Muslim females had difficulty in complying with the procedures to roll up sleeves to the elbow for appropriate handwashing."
Dr Charles Tannock, a Conservative MEP and former hospital consultant, said: "These students are being trained using taxpayers' money and they have a duty of care to their patients not to put their health at risk.
The new guidelines, issued by the Department of Health, require that medical staff are bare armed in the operating theatre and roll up their sleaves while washing their hands. The measures are deemed necessary to halt the spread of infections like MRSA and Clostridium difficile. Some Muslim women believe that baring their forearms is immodest under Islam.
Incidences of non-compliance have been highlighted at several UK medical schools. Academics from Liverpool University revealed that female Muslim students working at the Alder Hey hospital had objected to rolling up their sleaves.
Similar concerns were voiced at Leicester University, where minutes from a medical faculty meeting commented that: "A number of Muslim females had difficulty in complying with the procedures to roll up sleeves to the elbow for appropriate handwashing."
Dr Charles Tannock, a Conservative MEP and former hospital consultant, said: "These students are being trained using taxpayers' money and they have a duty of care to their patients not to put their health at risk.
"Perhaps these women should not be choosing medicine as a career if they feel unable to abide by the guidelines that everyone else has to follow."
A statement by the Islamic Medical Association insisted that covering all parts of the body, apart from the face and hands, was one of the fundamental principles of the religion.
Dr Majid Katme, spokesman for the IMA, said: "No practising Muslim woman - doctor, medical student, nurse or patient - should be forced to bare her arms below the elbow."
"Exposed arms can pick up germs and there is a lot of evidence to suggest skin is safer to the patient if covered. One idea might be to produce long, sterile, disposable gloves which go up to the elbows."
Hospital acquired infections affect around 10% of the UK patient population.
Dr Majid Katme, spokesman for the IMA, said: "No practising Muslim woman - doctor, medical student, nurse or patient - should be forced to bare her arms below the elbow."
"Exposed arms can pick up germs and there is a lot of evidence to suggest skin is safer to the patient if covered. One idea might be to produce long, sterile, disposable gloves which go up to the elbows."
Hospital acquired infections affect around 10% of the UK patient population.
