Photo: Sam Bennett
A Muslim dentistry student has been told she has to pay for disposable arm sleeves before she can attend clinics.
The fourth year student, who has asked to remain anonymous, had been wearing the arm sleeves whilst complying with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals ‘bare below the elbows’ policy, which means she cannot wear the full hijab – clothing worn by Muslim women to cover their whole body.
The student has been told the disposable arm sleeves will no longer be provided for free and she now has three options: to buy the sleeves, to wear a surgical gown or to show her arms.
When the ‘bare below the elbows’ policy was first implemented by the NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, it was agreed that disposable arm sleeves would be provided for Muslim women so they would not have to show their arms when treating patients.
The University of Sheffield’s Islamic Circle has said it is impractical for the student to buy the sleeves, which have been quoted at £2 a pair, as she can see up to two patients a day.
An Islamic Circle member said: “The Dental School has decided to withdraw the student from all clinics, cancelling her patients without informing her, until she uncovers her arms or wears a surgical gown.
“The sister has decided to wear a surgical gown for the time being, but it is more difficult to wear this and the arm sleeves were much more practical and easier to adjust to.
“They had been providing the sleeves ever since a sister had requested them a few years ago.
“This is not fair because they manage to provide latex free gloves for people who require them.”
Vice-President of the Islamic Circle, Hafsah Qureshi, said: “I think that perhaps the dentistry department may have thought she was being difficult for no reason, which is not the case.
“She is trying to obey what she perceives to be the religious rules of God and she should not feel that she has to choose between these rules and the hospital policy.
“Normally the hospitals and departments are very helpful. Medical students are given special surgical hoods for free during placements if they ask.
“I think we were just shocked that the decision to remove free arm sleeves for dentistry students was taken so suddenly.”
Qureshi said cost should not be a major issue for the University because it is possible to buy a box of 200 arm sleeves for under £10.
A spokesman from the University of Sheffield has said the University fully supports the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ policy which requires all clinical staff and students to be ‘bare below the elbow’ whilst working in clinical areas.
He said: “These requirements affect all those who come into contact with patients and this includes dentistry students.
“We recognise this is a sensitive subject and we will try to find a practical solution.
“Arrangements are in place for staff and students to either wear sterile disposable arm coverings, or a long sleeved surgical gown.”