“If the hospital is so hot on Infection Control and Health &Safety issues, they should be keeping their own house in order. Just visiting 2 wards recently, namely AAU and Ward4b, I noticed that the bedside tables are in a poor state. The trim around the edges are missing exposing the chipboard, for sometime I suspect, because it looked dirty. A surface like this is impossible to clean, let alone prevent germs eg C Diff, to name just one and there's lots more to worry about.
If hospital bosses were to audit these items, they might find this more worthwhile than suggesting a small chain around your neck poses such a problem. What next? glasses? hair grips? pens? The list is endless.”

“Before her resignation Helen Slatter was quoted as saying she was being forced to choose between her job and her faith. Maybe that's what she really believed, but I doubt it. There's nothing in the bible that says Christians must wear a cross; and it's more likely her resignation is related to some other issue; perhaps some other grievance she has at work - people often highlight a small niggle rather than deal with the big issues. Maybe this is just a case of attention seeking, or maybe she's simply gone to far to backtrack without losing face. Or perhaps, she just enjoyed the whole melodrama while it lasted.

Whatever the reason, the fact is she was given opportunity after opportunity to avoid this outcome and she declined them all, so now she has to live with the consequences. At least the job can now go to someone who is prepared to put the safety of their patients before their own beliefs.”

“Paul Pope, think you missed my sarcasm there.

I'm a staunch atheist and share your views on religion exactly from what I gather. I'm also all for the NHS. I was being ironic.

I believe we are on the same side...”

“LC, FOD said "She'll have the last laugh, maybe God will turn the NHS into a pillar of salt".

Little wonder that 95% of Brits don't want anything to do with religion when we hear rubbish like this.

If you don't like the NHS, don't use it and stay in a cave in the FOD.

All religion should be banned, then there would not be the amount of bomb blast and wars throughout the world.

As For Meta, I bet your backing won't go as far as resigning to show solidarity with your fellow religious chum.

Get a grip, get a life, get another job.”

“Helen, I hope that you do feel supported by your friends and family and your church community; much of the published debate has been wide of the mark.
I am a volunteer worker in the GRHNHSFT and give you my wholehearted backing. As another person who also is under obedience from my Church to wear the Cross at all times, I am currently rethinking my position re the hospital.
You know the old adage .... don't let the words of some people hurt you. I hope and pray that your own skills and gifts in your work will be used fully somewhere else. Blessings.”

“Agree with Ian and Joe. this would not be news if the necklace had anything else on the end.

If there's a definite jewelry policy in place then employees should be expected to stick to it. The rules may be silly and the health & safety risks might be small but the strict rules are needed as employers can't go round deciding which necklaces are acceptable and which aren't. That would create even more articles in the Citizen.

She'll have the last laugh, maybe God will turn the NHS into a pillar of salt.”

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away - He certainly did in this case.

The Good Lord Looks after his own - He certainly didn't in this case.

If you just have to wear a crucifix all the time, become a missionary.”

“This story doesn't quite have the same ring to it if you write it as it is. i.e. staff member refuses to comply with reasonable management request, and has left employment rather than be sacked.

Good outcome, give the job to someone who will do as they are told.

Mind you, it would have been a good message to thers if she had been sacked.”

“Here we are living in a country that is being torn apart by bloody minded do- gooders. Im sure this woman did not set out to upset or offend anyone...the very fact she has the chain and crucifix around her neck indicates her belief in good over evil...Good for her!!!”

“Well i think a bit of investigative journalism is called for here, why doesnt the paper talk to other workers and get there points of view, see if other religions get away with things much like this, and then bring it to the NHS attention, rather than this story that does sound like racism”