Online Petition Backs Doctor Who Asked Muslim Patient to Remove Veil

Apetition to prevent the possible sacking of a doctor who asked a Muslim patient to remove her veil so he could hear her explain her daughter's medical condition has reached more than 60,000 signatures.




Dr Keith Wolverson said he was “completely bowled over” after the online petition attracted so many votes. It was set up after he was reported to the General Medical Council (GMC) and became the subject of a racial discrimination inquiry.

He admitted yesterday he was "rather fearful of the consequences" after finding out he had been reported over the incident.

He said there was no sign the patient was upset during the consultation at the Royal Stoke University Hospital last June.

The freelance GP, who has been practising for 23 years, added that the support shown on the change.org website had encouraged him to "fight to the bitter end" so he could carry on working in the profession.

Speaking about the incident, the 52-year-old medic, from Derby, said: "I asked a lady to remove her face veil for adequate communication, in the same way I'd ask a motorcyclist to remove a crash helmet.

"When the letter [about the GMC inquiry] came through, I was rather fearful of the consequences.


"I'm a little bit sad the country has been committed to depths such as this. But it takes more than this to knock me off my perch."

The creator of the petition, called "Stop Dr Wolverson getting fired", said he believed the doctor acted in "the best interest of the child".

"I would like to get as many people as possible to sign this petition and save this man's reputation,” the petition says.

"I believe he acted in the best interest of the child involved and there was no racist or religious discrimination in his actions.

"We need to ensure the General Medical Council treat this man fairly and look at all the evidence.

"Our NHS is severely understaffed and we cannot afford to lose doctors due to fabricated accusations of discrimination."

Mr Wolverson added: "I have been absolutely bowled over by the support. It has reaffirmed to me how wonderful people really are. I am going to fight it until the bitter end."

However, he explained that because he was a freelance doctor the accusation could lead to him having trouble getting offers of work.

"Yes, I want to carry on. Yes I will carry on, but it is academic until the inquiry is over."


Mr Wolverson said he expected to face a hearing from the GMC which would decide on his future.

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