B.C. Hospital Sorry for Shaving Sikh's Beard

December 11, 2008

Author: Darcy Wintonyk

Source: CTVBC

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081211/BC_sikh_beard_shaving_081211/20081211?hub=BritishColumbia

B.C.'s Fraser Health Authority has apologized for shaving a 70-year-old man's beard -- something forbidden by his Sikh religion.

It happened during an overnight shift at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. The Health Authority says the nurse, who recently came from out of province, feels terrible about the incident.

"We are very sorry on behalf of Royal Columbian Hospital that this happened," says spokesperson Mariam Stewart. "There have been numerous memos going out to other intensive care units and hospitals in Fraser Health of the fact that, with the beard, the beard is very, very important."

The 70-year-old is in the intensive care unit after he was shot during a gas station robbery in Surrey last month.