Hospital anaesthetist probed over Muslim surgeon headscarf claims
A hospital consultant is being investigated over claims he made about a Muslim surgeon wearing a headscarf.
Dr Vladislav Rogozov, a consultant anaesthetist, is being investigated by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust over a blog in which he said he confronted the surgeon and asked her to remove the scarf.
The trust would not confirm that Dr Rogozov had been suspended - only that he was being investigated - but stressed it was not related to him raising patient safety concerns.
Hospital rules are that any scarves must be removed in the interest of patient safety and hygiene.
In its policy, the NHS trust says: "Headscarves worn for religious purposes are permitted in most areas; however they are excluded in areas such as theatre, where they could present a health and safety and cross-infection hazard."
Dr David Throssell, medical director of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said of Dr Rogozov: "The member of staff has not been excluded from work for raising patient safety issues as we take these very seriously.
"However since the publication of articles, attributed to the member of staff, we have received concerns about the tone he has used. On this basis the content and nature of the views published are currently being investigated."
