Hijabi doctor introduces disposable headscarves to UK hospital

A Muslim junior doctor spearheaded the introduction of disposable sterile headscarves for hospital staff to use in operating theatres.

Doctor Farah Roslan, who wears hijab herself, first had the idea during her training at Royal Derby hospital following infection concerns related to her headscarf, the BBC reported.

The hospital trust believes it is now the first hospital in the UK to introduce the new headscarves and hopes it will be rolled out nationally. 

Roslan, who hails from Malaysia and lives in Lincolnshire, was a medical student with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS trust when she first had the idea.

"I'd been using [the same headscarf] all day which obviously wasn't clean and ideal," she told BBC Radio Derby.

"I didn't feel comfortable taking it off and I was pulled out from the theatre, respectfully, due to infection control."

For Roslan, the disposable sterile headscarves represents a middle ground between  "dress code due to faith" and the "passion" of her profession. 

Roslan turned to her home country of Malaysia for inspiration and then began designing with different fabrics.

"I'm really happy and looking forward to seeing if we can endorse this nationally," she said.

England's National Health Service (NHS) has said it will remain up to individual trusts to introduce the disposable headscarves.

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