Call for faith-based NHS services

[Guest guest]

Muslims are twice as likely to report poor health

The NHS should provide more faith-based care for Muslims, an expert

says.

Muslims are about twice as likely to report poor health and

disability than the general population, says Edinburgh University's

Professor Aziz Sheikh.

 

Writing in the British Medical Journal, he called for male

circumcision on the NHS and more details over alcohol derived drugs.

 

But Manchester University health expert Professor Aneez Esmail said

it was not possible to meet everyone's needs.

 

Professor Sheikh said a better picture of the health profile and

experiences of British Muslims was needed to help them access

services.

 

Many Muslims, to maintain modesty, prefer to see a same sex

clinician

 

Professor Aziz Sheikh, from Edinburgh University

 

" The limited health data show that Muslims are about twice as likely

to self report poor health and disability as the general population.

 

" Muslims are predominantly congregated in the inner city slums, have

the lowest household income, poorest educational attainment, and

highest unemployment and experience more poverty than any other faith

community. "

 

He said the first step towards collecting better data would be to

record religious affiliation, not just ethnic background at primary

and secondary care levels.

 

But the NHS should also start to tailor services in a more targetted

way.

 

" Male infant circumcision should be available throughout the NHS.

Although a handful of NHS trusts provide it, most parents are forced

into the poorly regulated private sector, " Professor Sheikh said.

 

He also said hospitals needed to accommodate Muslims in other ways.

 

" Many Muslims, to maintain modesty, prefer to see a same sex

clinician. Such choice is typically unavailable despite the higher

number of women doctors in the NHS.

 

" Another important service is to enable Muslims to avoid porcine and

alcohol derived drugs. "

 

Professor Sheikh, from Edinburgh University's division of community

health services, added Muslims should be given better access to

prayer facilities and advice over how they should modify their

treatment for chronic conditions during Ramadan.

 

Identity

 

But Professor Aneez Esmail, from Manchester University's school of

primary care, said: " While it is reasonable we try to plan and

configure our services to take account of needs that may have their

roots in particular beliefs... we cannot meet everyone's demands for

special services based on their religious identity. It would not be

practical. "

 

And he added that some faith groups might support practices which may

be morally and ethically unacceptable to the majority - for example

female circumcision and the refusal to accept blood transfusions in

life saving situations.

 

Professor Esmail said going down the path of providing special

services for defined groups risks stigmatisation and stereotyping.

 

" In an ideal world doctors would ask about a patient's beliefs not so

that they can be categorised but because it might be important for

the patient in their illness. "

 

The Department of Health said services were and had to be decided on

a clinical need, which was decided either on recommendations from the

NHS advisory agency NICE or on a trust by trust basis.

 

The spokesman added: " All patients are entitled to ask to see doctors

of a certain sex. "