A nurse suspended for offering to pray for a patient has vowed to continue petitioning God on behalf of her patients after being allowed back to work.
Caroline Petrie, 45, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was suspended and accused of failing to show a “personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity” after a patient voiced concerns about the offer of a prayer.
After an inquiry, North Somerset PCT decided Mrs Petrie believed she was acting in the best interests of her patients and could return to duty.
The mother-of-two told the Western Daily Press: “In a way it was good to be able to talk things through with my bosses and now we all know where we stand I think it will be easier.
“I can still pray for my patients as long as I keep within the boundaries of the care plan and ask them first whether they have any spiritual needs.”
Mrs Petrie made the prayer offer to the 79-year-old woman while attending to her dressings. She says she has no with treating the pensioner following the complaint.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
North Somerset Primary Care Trust
Related articles:
Prayer nurse is reinstated by PCT following investigation
Community nurse suspended for prayer offer
Your comments (terms and conditions apply):
“We all now recognise that mental and emotional needs affect the physical and I would certainly add spiritual to this list as they are all intrisically linked. As long as the patient is asked if they have any spiritual needs and are happy to be helped in this area I can see no reason why this should not be included in the healthcare provision package” – Name and address withheld
