Facing the sack for the colour of her HAIR: Midwife of 30 years fears losing her job after NHS bosses warned her bright red locks breach hospital's uniform policy

A midwife of 30 years is facing the sack from her job because her red hair, which she had when interviewed for the job, breaches a hospital uniform policy.

Donna Crichton, 53, could face dismissal after she was told her dyed hair went against a new policy at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. 

The midwife, who is now off work due to stress, claims a deputy chief nurse spoke to her about her hair in June this year and said her appearance did not comply with the new rules which came into force in November 2017.

Donna Crichton, 53, could face dismissal after she was told her dyed red hair went against a new policy at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust

Ms Crichton has worked in the NHS for 30 years, including seven-and-a-half in Lincolnshire, said nobody bated an eyelid at her hair colour when she was interviewed for the job. 

Ms Crichton, who is based at Lincoln County Hospital but mostly works in Grantham, was reportedly told she would face disciplinary proceedings and if she still did not change the colour she would face dismissal.

She raised a staff grievance after seeking advice from the Royal College of Midwives but her argument was rejected and she is now awaiting outcome of an appeal against that decision.

Ms Crichton said: 'I was absolutely gobsmacked. I could not believe what I was hearing after being employed at the trust for seven-and-a half years with the same coloured hair, interviewed with the same coloured hair.

'I could not actually comprehend that I had been pulled out of a lecture I was attending to be spoken to by the deputy chief nurse about the colour of my hair.

'How could that be happening in 2018 when we live in a diverse, accepting society?

'It's such a trivial matter but it's not. One day I'm a professional and the next day I'm no longer a professional because of the colour of my hair.

She added: 'I was devastated, I could not breathe, I was having panic attacks. I'm depressed because I have been prevented from doing the job I absolutely adore.'

Ms Crichton is based at Lincoln County Hospital but mostly works in Grantham and has worked for the Trust for seven-and-a-half years (file picture)

Another hospital employee said that the uniform policy was 'madness' while David Kirwan, operational manager for the Royal College of Nursing, told the BBC it was 'incredulous that a trust which has over 250 vacancies' saw this issue as a priority. 

The trust, which faces an £80m deficit, remains in special measures despite some improvements and hospital wards are understaffed.

Bosses have recently hired three management consultants to advise it at a cost of £700,000.

Angry unions have defended Ms Crichton and attacked the failing trust for ignoring patient safety issues which are some of the worst in the country. 

Unison spokesman Elliot Dean said: 'There's chronic understaffing on the wards, the trust relies too heavily on agency staff but bosses can find £700,000 to spend on three management roles.

'ULHT should be actively supporting our members to overcome the issues identified in the last Care Quality Commission report.'

Martin Rayson, human resources manager at the Trust, told the Telegraph: 'Unfortunately we cannot comment on specific cases.'