Midwife 'forced to wear trousers'

A christian midwife is suing hospital bosses for making her wear scrub trousers rather than a dress in the operating theatre, saying it is against her religious beliefs.

Devout Hannah Adewole claims wearing trousers is forbidden in the Bible, citing a command that women should not wear men's clothing.

The 45-year-old says she was banned from wearing scrub dresses in theatre but Muslim midwives are allowed to vary official uniform policy with their own hijabs and tops.

She told a tribunal: "A Muslim midwife would not have been treated in such a disrespectful manner."
Mrs Adewole is suing Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust for religious discrimination and harassment.

As a midwife at City University London, Mrs Adewole was ordered to wear scrub trousers to prevent infection. When she refused, she was moved from the labour ward to post-natal care.

Mrs Adewole, of Hackney, said: "Reading the Bible has always given me strength. I believe that the Bible is truth and that its words should be followed wholeheartedly."

She told the tribunal she considers wearing dresses rather than trousers "a mandatory requirement". Mrs Adewole started work as a £24,000-a-year midwife at Queen's in March 2008.

She alleges that she was assured at interview that her uniform demands would be met. The Trust's policy provided for "uniform suitable for Muslims" but had no equivalent rules for Christians, the tribunal heard.

The Trust, which has now given her two scrub dresses, claims that theatre uniform was never discussed at the interview. The tribunal continues.