Excerpt:
A leading surgeon has called for the development of a national training guide to help staff care for patients with specific religious and cultural needs.
Aiman Alzetani, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Southampton General Hospital, said the current lack of basic training and information for healthcare professionals across the UK had created "obstacles" for staff and "disconnected" them from some patients.
He spoke out ahead of a presentation on raising cultural awareness at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust's annual equality and diversity conference.