Hospital probe after mum to be demands "white only" staff at birth

 

Milton Keynes Hospital has launched an investigation into allegations surrounding a pregnant woman’s request for only white staff to deliver her baby.

 

lThe Equality and Human Rights Commission has also sent a letter to the hospital after receiving a complaint about the hospital’s handling of the request.

 

The Government is ‘seeking urgent clarification’ on the situation.

 

The hospital says this is the first incident of this kind and such a request is rare even on a national level. It is unknown why the woman made it.

 

The hospital has not confirmed whether the request was initially granted, although it says it was not an all-white team that eventually delivered the baby.

 

One source told this newspaper that there was unrest and upset following the incident.

 

Navrita Atwal, director of Milton Keynes Equality Council, said that if staff were excluded from treating the patient based on their race, the hospital may have breached Section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976.

 

She said: “If the allegations are true, what the hospital did was unlawful. The best course of action would be to say, look, we will provide you with the best carewith whatever staff are available.

 

“You hear about this sort of thing in America but not in England. The staff involved would have been devastated. If I worked there and I was told I couldn’t treat a patient because of my colour, I would be devasted.” Milton Keynes Hospital’s own policy, ‘Managing Diversity and Equal Opportunities in Employment’, says excluding people of certain races from particular jobs constitutes direct discrimination.

 

According to 2005 figures, 64 per cent of the trust’s workforce is white, six per cent Asian and five per cent black.

 

A spokesman for Milton Keynes Hospital said: “The trust is carrying out a full investigation into this allegation, and the judgments made based on immediate clinical needs and to ensure the safety of the mother and baby.

 

“We take the interests and wellbeing of our staff very seriously, and any act of racial discrimination will not be tolerated.

 

Discrimination and prejudice whether from patients, visitors or staff is unacceptable, and this is a message that we will continue to communicate internally and externally.

 

“Robust policies are in place to promote and protect equality and diversity for all, and we are proud of the diversity of our workforce and local community.” A spokesman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “We are aware of the complaint.

 

We’re deciding what action we might take if it’s appropriate.” A Department of Health spokesman said: “All staff and patients should be treated with respect at all times and not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on any grounds.

 

“We expect all parts of the NHS to adhere to this principle and are seeking urgent clarification from the trust.” A spokesman for the Care Quality Commission added: “NHS staff should be clear that they do not have to accept discriminatory behaviour.”

Edited October 30, 200915 yr by Crazy Chris

Comments please.

Edited October 30, 200915 yr by Crazy Chris

I had my eyes lasered several years ago. When I was talking about it to some people I said that the surgeon sounded like Nelson Mandela so I found his voice very reassuring. One of the people with me said she wouldn't trust a non-white surgeon. I was shocked by her attitude but even more shocked that she didn't seem at all embarrassed to admit her bigotry.

Maybe prosevcuting is taking things a bit far but the baby shoiuld be taken into care as she is an unfiyt mother wjho will bring the kid up to be a bigot with her poathetic views

 

don;t charge her but take the kid off her

 

soz about the ytping cba editting in my tipsyt state

Maybe prosevcuting is taking things a bit far but the baby shoiuld be taken into care as she is an unfiyt mother wjho will bring the kid up to be a bigot with her poathetic views

 

don;t charge her but take the kid off her

 

soz about the ytping cba editting in my tipsyt state

 

 

Rubbish BA. Even if she is racist it still doesn't make her an unfit mother.

 

PS. Posters shouldn't post drunk. :lol:

Rubbish BA. Even if she is racist it still doesn't make her an unfit mother.

 

PS. Posters shouldn't post drunk. :lol:

Um, it clearly does. The vast majority (in fact, I would say probably everyone?) of people will try and teach their children their own values. A child that is brought up as a racist will be unfit for society - hence the mother that does such a thing will be an unfit mother as they will not bring up their children in a way which is compatible with our times!

Maybe prosevcuting is taking things a bit far but the baby shoiuld be taken into care as she is an unfiyt mother wjho will bring the kid up to be a bigot with her poathetic views

 

don;t charge her but take the kid off her

 

soz about the ytping cba editting in my tipsyt state

I don't think they'd be prosecuting her...they say in the article the hospital would be investigated, but I'm not quite sure why seeing as the hospital said that the delivery team wasn't all-white :huh:

She demanded an "all-white" team but didn't get it in the end.

im not sure what can be said about this until we know her reasons for requesting such a ludicrous request.

According to 2005 figures, 64 per cent of the trust’s workforce is white, six per cent Asian and five per cent black.

 

eh? so what were the other 25% !!!!!! frogs? aliens? :lol:

Not at all sure about this one either. I too would question the mother's ability to raise a child with such a ludicrous request. :blink:

 

Only reason I would think that the hospital would be investigated is if a member of staff made a complaint or the woman was a "mystery shopper", testing the reactions of the hospital. If the hospital tried to cater for the request, what exactly would be the problem? If they had had a black person making a request for an all black medical team and didn't cater for the request or failed to even attempt this, then I would see a problem with the hospital.

 

The problem lies with the mother as far as I can see.

 

All speculation, but the best I can think of right now.

eh? so what were the other 25% !!!!!! frogs? aliens? :lol:

Mixed race, Hispanic,...

im not sure what can be said about this until we know her reasons for requesting such a ludicrous request.

 

 

Aren't her reasons obvious though Rob? Racism!!

Rubbish BA. Even if she is racist it still doesn't make her an unfit mother.

 

PS. Posters shouldn't post drunk. :lol:

 

I wasn't drunk :) just a bit tipsy enough for it to affect my typing :teresa:

 

When a kid is born it is a "blank canvas" so it will be very influenced by its mother so if the mother is as deep rooted racist as that then she is going to bring her kid up to be a racist so given her behaviour here she is breeding a feral neo nazi chav of the future so it is best to rescue the kid before its too late and handing it to a family where it will be bought up in a fit and proper way

 

 

Maybe prosevcuting is taking things a bit far but the baby shoiuld be taken into care as she is an unfiyt mother wjho will bring the kid up to be a bigot with her poathetic views

 

don;t charge her but take the kid off her

 

soz about the ytping cba editting in my tipsyt state

 

I agree with crazy chris, one racist comment doesn't really make someone an unfit mother. (Health wise anyway)

 

Sure you could argue that the kid should be taken away because the mother is racist.......but I don't think that kind of claim would hold water. For all we know she could bring up her child to be healthy anyway and as long as the mother isn't doing anything that would effect the childs health I don't think anyone would take the child away from her.

 

It's a horrible request to make......who cares who delivers the baby as long as the baby is delivered safely? :(

 

I agree with crazy chris, one racist comment doesn't really make someone an unfit mother. (Health wise anyway)

 

Sure you could argue that the kid should be taken away because the mother is racist.......but I don't think that kind of claim would hold water. For all we know she could bring up her child to be healthy anyway and as long as the mother isn't doing anything that would effect the childs health I don't think anyone would take the child away from her.

 

It's a horrible request to make......who cares who delivers the baby as long as the baby is delivered safely? :(

 

There is a big difference between say calling someone a n***** and not wanting a black to deliver her baby, that is extreme racism and it would rub off on the kid

 

She is as big a cretin as that DJ who said a asian cab driver would scare her daughter :rolleyes:

I agree with crazy chris, one racist comment doesn't really make someone an unfit mother. (Health wise anyway)

 

Sure you could argue that the kid should be taken away because the mother is racist.......but I don't think that kind of claim would hold water. For all we know she could bring up her child to be healthy anyway and as long as the mother isn't doing anything that would effect the childs health I don't think anyone would take the child away from her.

 

It's a horrible request to make......who cares who delivers the baby as long as the baby is delivered safely? :(

 

Actually, it kind of does...... If she's making these sorts of comments to staff at a Hospital, what's she gonna be teaching her kid...? What kind of role model is she gonna be...? Answer - not a particularly good one.... Of course, Suedhead's example is also a valid one, BOTH of these individuals are not going to be teaching children very good lessons about tolerance or acceptance. Racism isn't inherited, it's not genetically hardwired, it's TAUGHT..... And the main ones who "teach" it are parents/guardians/family members.... Kids dont know any better, but adults do, simple as.... She's clearly an unfit parent if she hasn't learned the simple lesson that bigotry is wrong....

 

God forbid we raise another Nick Griffin.... :rolleyes:

 

And Rob, there is NO valid or logical reason that can possibly justify this "request"..... Just to play Devil's Advocate though, even supposing a member of her family was incorrectly diagnosed or not given proper treatment by a black or Asian doctor in the past, that doesn't mean she can tar ALL non-white Doctors or nurses with the same brush for goodness sake.... A white doctor or nurse is just as likely to make a mistake and/or be incompetent.... Or worse.... Look at Harold Shipman, Berverly Allitt, etc.....

 

Off topic, but I was born in that hospital :rofl:

 

To be fair, I've been treated in hospitals, doctors, dentists, opticians, etc. in the past by people of all race and skin colour. It doesn't bother me, but I know for a fact that it bothers other people. It's just their own opinion, of course it's wrong, but what really can you do?

This is quite a interesting post from DS.

 

"Anyway, a female friend of mine went to buy a dolls house for her daughter the other day...........shopkeeper says to her "...and would you like the White or Ethnic family for your house?" She told me she was a little taken aback and practically without thinking said "White family please" Still pondering if what she had thought was slightly prejudiced the shopkeeper replied after looking "oh i'm sorry we have no more White families left"

 

Now even more flummaxed she got a bit panicky when she realised that she really didn't want to buy an ethnic family for her child's doll house! but not having the time to debate why in her head she found herself struggling to know why or find a good reason why not to tell the shopkeeper! In the end he stepped in and told her they would have new White families back next week (maybe he saw her state of distress!!)

 

Must say one thing, not really surprised they were all out of White family characters given they were in the heart of the North East of England"

Edited October 31, 200915 yr by Crazy Chris

I wasn't drunk :) just a bit tipsy enough for it to affect my typing :teresa:

 

When a kid is born it is a "blank canvas" so it will be very influenced by its mother so if the mother is as deep rooted racist as that then she is going to bring her kid up to be a racist so given her behaviour here she is breeding a feral neo nazi chav of the future so it is best to rescue the kid before its too late and handing it to a family where it will be bought up in a fit and proper way

Well, not ENTIRELY a blank canvas (tabula rasa theory has been destroyed countless times by geneticists over the past few centuries since Locke first espoused it) - it's more 'veined marble' as Spinoza proposed...but still, your point definitely stands that the child will almost certainly turn out racist if the parents are.