Prayer row nurse returns to work
A NURSE who was suspended after offering to pray for a patient went back to work yesterday and vowed to be true to her faith and offer blessings where appropriate.
Committed Christian Caroline Petrie was suspended in December after she offered to pray for an elderly patient’s recovery at the end of a home visit.
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Caroline Petrie
The patient mentioned the offer to one Mrs Petrie’s colleagues, who reported it to North Somerset Primary Care Trust.
The trust claimed she had broken a “personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity”.
Mrs Petrie, 45, from Weston-super-Mare, had to attend a disciplinary hearing but has now been allowed to resume her work.
She agreed once the trust confirmed she could still pray for patients – if she first asked them whether they had any spiritual needs.
There was a national outcry after Mrs Petrie was suspended and earlier this month the health authority issued a statement saying they would welcome her back to work.
Mrs Petrie returned to her role as a community nurse yesterdayMON for the first time since being suspended.
She said she was excited to return to work.
‘‘I’m just so relieved it’s all over,” she said. “It’s a great result and I feel really happy to be going back to work.
‘‘In a way it was good to be able to talk things through with my bosses. 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.
‘‘I understand that they had to investigate a complaint but it’s all behind me now so I’m just looking forward to doing the job I love.”
Asked if she would be going back to the patient at the centre of the outcry, she said: ‘‘There’s no air of awkwardness or anger, so of course I will go back and do her dressings again – I just know now not to offer to pray for her.”
The Christian Legal Centre, which represented Mrs Petrie throughout her case, welcomed the decision.
Founder Andrea Williams said: ‘‘The decision highlights the importance of being able to take personal faith into the workplace rather than leave it at the door.”
9 Comments
by Malcy, Yate
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 8:18AM
“Oh, not this nut nurse again. Yaawwwnnn”
by Spartacus, Bristol
Monday, February 23 2009, 10:59PM
“Mrs Billing
Where to start? Although I suspect your post was a joke.
1 - The nurse was not "sacked".
2 - "expressing her right to freedom of religion". What about a right to freedom from religion?
3 - "if a muslim or hindu nurse had made a similar comment it would be 'racist' to complain about it". I would have exactly the same view. And why do you assume a Hindu or a Muslim would automatically be of a different race to this nurse?
4 - Religion is a superstition.”
by Rich, Bristol
Monday, February 23 2009, 10:34PM
“Excellent, keep up the great work!!”
by Mrs billing, severn beach
Monday, February 23 2009, 9:55PM
“Shall be just put this into perspective here, a woman was sacked for expressing her right to freedom of religion and people are trying to justify this!? Her religion, not superstition was intended as a gesture of goodwill and should not have been critsised, let alone sacked!
If the shoe was on the other foot then it would be another issue entirely, if a muslim or hindu nurse had made a similar comment it would be 'racist' to complain about it, I really think people should stop being so pathetic and PC and quite frankly; GET A GRIP! Its not like she hurt anybody, I wonder how the 'upset' patient could console their grief? Poor thing...”
by Antimacassar Annie, Flatholm
Monday, February 23 2009, 9:52PM
“Will prospective patients be given the choice of another nurse? I don't want her emptying my bed pan, thank you very much. It's a scientific fact that prayer makes you worse.”
by Spartacus, Bristol
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:52PM
“I would disagree with the quote from the founder of the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Williams:
''The decision highlights the importance of being able to take personal faith into the workplace rather than leave it at the door"
To me, the issue isn't about allowing or not allowing personal faith in the workplace. It's to do with respecting other people and keeping that "personal faith" both personal and private.”
by MendipMan, Wurzel Country
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:23PM
“No reasonable person would begrudge this woman her personal beliefs. However, when she is dealing with patients they are vulnerable and a 'captive audience'. It is wrong in my view even to raise the subject of prayer or Christianity in general unless the patient mentions it first in general conversation.
If I was in hospital I would not want someone in the medical team to begin discussing anything to do with their faith (of whatever persuasion) with me.
I am there to be nursed and am content with my secular beliefs, but would not dream of mentioning this to anyone, whether medical staff , support staff or other patients.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Monday, February 23 2009, 4:45PM
“Not the perfect solution which would have been that this woman stick to her conditions of employment and leave her superstitions at home when treating people but at least she'll give her patients the opportunity to refuse her supernatural meddlings.”
by hannah, Bristol
Monday, February 23 2009, 3:10PM
“Awww not her again.
Shes worse than snow!!...and cyclists...”