A devoutly Catholic nurse at the centre of a crucifix row has resigned after hospital officials banned her from wearing the religious symbol at work.
Helen Slatter, 43, was ordered before a disciplinary hearing after refusing to remove the gold necklace.
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital ruled the chain and crucifix -which is less than one inch tall – posed a health and safety risk to patients.
Miss Slatter, who has not attended work since the hearing on May 22, has now resigned from her position as a phlebologist.
She said: ‘They made it clear that, if I went back, the hospital would send me home if I was wearing my crucifix.
‘I am not willing to stop wearing it, so I have been left with no choice but to leave my job.
The cross now “offends the Muslims” in our own countries… So who rules who you should ask yourselves? Are White people still in control of Europe? Or perhaps Jews who hate Jesus?
‘They say it is NHS policy and made it clear that they would not allow me to wear it at all. At the end of the day, they are the NHS and aren’t going to back down, so I’m not going to get my job back.
‘In all honesty, I’m not sure if I’d want to work somewhere where I had been treated like this anyway.’
Miss Slatter has worked as a phlebologist, which involves collecting blood samples from patients across the wards, at the hospital for five years.
She was shocked when hospital management told her in May that she needed to remove her cross.
The nurse refused to comply with the request, claiming management at the hospital were making her choose between her faith and her job.
But Miss Slatter was brought before a disciplinary committee and warned necklaces were banned for all staff members.
She claimed her crucifix had never been mentioned before in her time at the hospital.
Miss Slatter is now considering legal action.
She said: ‘I still find it hard to believe everything that has happened.
‘I have been approached by a solicitor who has offered to represent me if I want to take the matter further, but I’m not sure.’
A spokesman Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed the nurse had handed in her notice, but insisted the issue was one of health and safety and that rules are the same for all staff.
A spokesman said: ‘The issue is not one of religion, the trust employs a uniform policy which must be adhered to at all times.
‘This policy applies to all staff employed by the trust and who wear a uniform on duty.
‘Necklaces and chains present two problems, firstly, they provide a surface that can harbour and spread infections.
‘Secondly, they present a health and safety issue whereby a patient could grab a necklace or chain and cause harm to the member of staff.
‘As an employer, the trust has a responsibility to ensure that all staff are provided with a safe environment to be able to go about their duty.
‘Jewellery is restricted to one pair of plain or unobtrusive studs in the earlobes only and no other facial piercings are permitted, including tongue studs.
‘One plain ring/band is permitted on the ring finger.’
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