June 24, 2009

NHS worker resigns over crucifix ban


by Benjamin Graham

An NHS hospital worker has resigned after being ordered to remove her crucifix necklace during work hours.

Forty-three year old Helen Slatter, a practising Catholic, has handed in her notice to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in protest of the necklace ban.

Slatter, a blood sampler, or phlebologist, was told by hospital bosses that her gold necklace, which depicted Christ on the cross, posed a health and safety risk and “could harbour infection”

However, the mother of one said she was not willing to put her job before her religion, and declined the hospital’s offer to let her carry the crucifix in her pocket.

Slatter told the Gloucestershire Echo: “They made it clear that if I went back the hospital would send me home if I was wearing my crucifix.

“I am not willing to stop wearing it, so I have been left with no choice but to leave my job.

“They are the NHS and aren’t going to back down – I’m not sure if I’d want to work somewhere where I had been treated like this anyway.”

When the issue was first raised last month, Slatter said: “I’ve always worn my cross and I’ve always been a Christian. It is important to me.

“I’ve worked here for 15 months and if it was an issue, why didn’t they let me know in the interview? The NHS have spent money training me.”

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire NHS Trust confirmed that Slatter has given notice of leaving.

He added that an ‘informal’ meeting last month had failed to agree a solution to the deadlock and that the trust is “disappointed” Slatter is resigning.

“The issue is not one of religion, the trust employs a uniform policy which must be adhered to at all times,” the spokesperson said.

“This policy applies to all staff employed by the trust and who wear a uniform on duty.

“Necklaces and chains present two problems, firstly, they provide a surface that can harbour and spread infections and secondly, they present a health and safety issue whereby a patient could grab a necklace or chain and cause harm to the member of staff.

“We would like to make it clear that Helen has not been the subject of disciplinary action.”

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