Delighted to finally share the news today that NHS England have published an infection control approved, safe and faith inclusive national dress code policy which provides a range of options for healthcare professionals from a range of faith backgrounds https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Uniforms-and-Workwear-Guidance-2-April-2020.pdf

This marks the beginning of a shift towards consultative inclusive national infection control practice and policy that works alongside BME and faith communities to co-design solutions that work for everyone.

Thank you to our amazing and persistent research team including Dr Hafsah Qureshi @AsamLatif @DrAbidaMalik1 @zahrayaqoob814 Zainab, Fatimah and so many others. Looking forwards to launching @BritishIMA comms campaign together to publicise the news widely.

Infographic on where to source single use hijab for acute trusts https://britishima.org/covid-hijab/ 

I want to thank all the people who have made this possible, in particular @TheBMA equality team including @SallyBrett2 Dinesh, Kate @docanthea @clare_dubya who listened, deeply cared and took immediate action to redress the inequalities that people of faith women have experienced

Thank you for @Muslimdoctors @UK_CMF and the Jewish Medical Association for throwing their weight behind @BritishIMA’s campaign. Somehow intrinsically understanding that this was a pioneering movement and test case for equality and justice.

Thank you @NHSE_Paul @NHSEmployers and Mohammad Yogi for calling meeting of over 20 national stakeholders and providing us a platform to share our research and recommendations. @NHSE_Paul I’m delighted to be working with you and YingFei Heliot on the next leg of this journey.

Also want to thank @gmcuk and Claire light’s team for updating GMC guidance including our work. @EHRC for updating theirs as a result https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/religion-or-belief-dress-codes-and-religious-symbols

Collaborative inclusive working is the only way we will solve the infection control challenges upon us and that those upon the horizon. The communities that are most affected need to be at the policy making table and engaged and leading with every part of the solution #Covid_19

Thank you to @BritishIMA and all it’s members for creating the networks and conferences that allowed this work to happen and to lobby for the fair treatment of Muslim women and the opening of career opportunities through this work

Thank you also @FarahShaheera19 and Ms Tierney @UHDBTrust who heard about our campaign/paper and took the initiative to develop the NHS’s first single use disposable hijab. A story picked in the mainstream press internationally featuring this iconic image