‘Fast’ Packs are being put together for staff members at Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust (BTHFT) who are keeping the fast during Ramadan.

‘Fast’ stands for ‘Fasting At BTHFT’s Supportive Trust.’ Each pack will consist of dates, water, a disposable prayer mat, prayer counter as well as a Ramadan prayer timetable.

The new innovation for Muslim colleagues has been created by the Trust’s SPaRC (Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care) team.

Imam Mohammed Arshad, Head of the SPaRC team, said: “I am delighted that the Trust is recognising our colleagues who will be working on our hospital wards this Ramadan.

“The creation of these new ‘Fast’ Packs will enable staff, who have been fasting without food or drink for 16 hours, to carry on working when the time comes to open their fast in the early evening.

“When colleagues have opened their fast on site with these new packs, it means that work breaks can be staggered in order to maintain safe staffing numbers without breaking Ramadan rules.”

Chief Nurse Karen Dawber added: “It’s really important working in a multi-cultural community that we encompass all faiths and beliefs."

Pictured above are Rubina Yasin, SPaRC Muslim Practitioner; Karen Dawber and Mohammed Arshad.