The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the EHRC) are looking into the situation which arose at Milton Keynes Hospital in Buckinghamshire. It is reported that a mother about to undergo a caesarean section objected to an ethnic minority member of staff being present at the birth of her child.
No further details have been given due to patient confidentiality other than the fact the hospital did not adhere to the demands and the mother was not treated by an all-white team. Despite this however, the EHRC are investigating the matter after it was reported that one consultant may have initially agreed to the mother’s request.
The situation has sparked commentary with conflicting views with some stating that such discrimination should not be tolerated whilst others (mostly women) consider it their right to have treatment in a way they are most comfortable with, particularly when in such a vulnerable situation.
An interesting question arises though: what if she had demanded an all female team? Would ‘sex discrimination’ have been justified due to the circumstances?
Add Comment