A GP is facing the axe for asking a Muslim woman to remove her veil during an appointment.

Dr Keith Wolverson, 52, could not hear the mum through the niqab as she tried to explain what was wrong with her child.

2 Doctor Keith Wolverson, 52, fears his career will be left in ruins Credit: Paul Tonge - The Sun

The GP, a medic for 23 years, says he asked her to take it off as all three sat in the hospital consulting room and she agreed with no fuss.

Half an hour later, after her husband arrived, she complained to bosses at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

They wrote to the General Medical Council who are to investigate Dr Wolverson for alleged discrimination.

He said: “It’s outrageous. I was just trying to do my job properly.

“I found it difficult to understand what the woman was saying behind her veil, so politely asked her to remove it. I needed to hear what was wrong with her daughter, so I could offer the safest possible care.

“I’m not racist. This is nothing to do with race, religion or skin colour – it’s about clarity of communication.

“I’ve treated many Muslim patients and never had a problem when I’ve asked women to remove their veil.

“Many do it as a courtesy as soon as they enter the consulting room.”



'IT'LL RUIN ME'

The medic said he had never faced sanctions but could now be struck off. He added: “It will ruin me.”

Dr Wolverson’s supervisors sent the GMC a form outlining the complaints. It says the woman told the doctor she did not want to remove the veil on religious grounds but he refused to continue the consultation unless she did. It claims he was “rude” and “gave her a dirty look” and she was shocked and crying and felt “victimised and racially discriminated” against.

Mohammed Shafiq of the Ramadhan Foundation said Dr Wolverson’s action was “offensive”. He said a woman staff member could have been asked to help. He said the GP should be sent on a diversity awareness course but said any “stronger” sanction would be a “shame”.

Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said losing a doctor over the issue would be “criminal”.

She said: “A doctor needs to be sensitive to a patient’s religion but safety must always come first.”

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The GMC says medics who wear a veil must remove it if a patient finds it an “obstacle” to communication. They give no guidance on how GPs should react in the reverse situation.

The Doctors’ Association UK urged the GMC to publish guidelines on when medics can acceptably ask patients to remove religious clothing.

It said: "It is of utmost importance that the religious wishes of our patients are respected.

"However, evidently there are some circumstances where removal of a niqab or burka is necessary for medical assessment and treatment.

"Regardless of whether this complaint is upheld, the General Medical Council should consider issuing clear guidelines to protect both doctors, and our patients."

An NHS guide from 2009, meanwhile, says it is not always possible to provide same-sex appointments.

2 Doctor Wolverson said he has asked Muslim women to remove veils without any issues before (stock photo) Credit: Alamy

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