Somerset nurse in prayer row invited to return to work
A Christian nurse who was suspended after offering to pray for the recovery of an elderly patient was yesterday asked to return to work.
Caroline Petrie, 45, was accused of failing to show a commitment to equality and diversity after the incident and has been awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
Last night a statement from NHS North Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT), for whom Mrs Petrie worked as a bank nurse, said: "NHS North Somerset has contacted bank nurse Caroline Petrie with a view to her returning back to work as soon as she feels able.
"We have always been keen to bring this matter to a timely resolution. It has been a distressing and difficult time for Caroline and all staff involved."
Mrs Petrie, a community nurse who carries out home visits in North Somerset, was suspended after she visited 79-year-old May Phippen, in Winscombe in December.
She asked "Would you like me to pray for you?" after putting dressings on her legs and the woman refused. It is believed the patient later raised the issue with senior NHS staff.
Mrs Petrie, a married mother-of-two, was suspended by the primary care trust and faced losing her job.
The news Mrs Petrie has been asked to return to work comes as the great-grandmother who inadvertently sparked the "no prayers" nursing row told the Western Daily Press she wished it would "blow over".
The story has made national headlines and sparked a debate about what is and is not acceptable in terms of religion.
But Mrs Phippen told the Daily Press yesterday: "It seems to have got blown out of all proportion. I never complained about it so I was surprised she was suspended. It's a shame it got that far but really she should be careful about what she says to people just in case they are offended."
Mrs Phippen is visited by a nurse daily. On that day it was Mrs Petrie.
"She was a nice lady and quietly spoken. I just hope it all blows over to be honest," said Mrs Phippen.
In its statement, the NHS trust said it had been "right to investigate".
It said: "We recognise the concerns raised by the many people who have contacted us about this situation. We feel we were right to investigate the concerns from people about Caroline's actions.
"We are always respectful of our patients' views, and we will always strive to ensure our staff meet professional standards.
"However, we are keenly aware of the importance of an individual's spiritual belief, and we recognise Caroline felt she was acting in the best interests of her patients.
"For some, prayer is seen as an integral part of health care and the healing process. That is why the NHS in North Somerset offers spiritual support such as chaplaincy and prayer rooms for people of all faiths.
"It is acceptable to offer spiritual support as part of care when the patient asks for it. But for nurses, whose principal role is giving nursing care, the initiative lies with the patient and not with the nurse.
"Nurses like Caroline do not have to set aside their faith, but personal beliefs and practices should be secondary to the needs and beliefs of the patient and the requirements of professional practice.
"We hope Caroline can return to work as soon as she feels able."
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by Rev. Stephen Hazlett, Sunderland
Sunday, March 29 2009, 2:19AM
“Nurse Petrie only OFFERED to pray , she did not force prayer on anyone . The NHS have effectively been shamed by their pc heavy- handed bigotry -- sacking somebody who quietly offers to pray has totalitarian overtones which send a shiver up the spine . If she had attempted to force her religion on anybody , I would want to see her disciplined ; but she did not . This is a landmark decision emphasizing religious liberty and the nastier side of political correctness has been exposed . It is to be hoped that the official who wrongly tried to ruin Mrs. Petrie' s life will themselves face the rigorous examination that integrity requires .”
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 6:04PM
“Yes; Peace and Love Justin! . You liked that did you? . . How are the dark glasses. . Have you let go yet?”
by Justin, Cornwall
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 4:25PM
“Editor....You couldn't make Charles Henry up. He's lost it altogether. GOD BLESS HIM.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 12:08PM
“"Spoken to about it."
Should read.
"Nurse Petrie! . Have you been praying again? . . I see Walter hasn't stopped smiling since I asked you to give him that enema earlier!"”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 12:06PM
“"Spoken to about it."
"Nurse Petrie! . Have you been praying again? . . I see Walter hasn't stopped smiling since I asked you gave him that enema earlier!"”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 11:54AM
“"Spoken to about it."
"Nurse Petrie! . Have you been praying again? . . I see Mr. Crabtree has another bottle of Malt Whisky in his locker. . That won't help his terminal liver cirrhosis one bit!"”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 11:36AM
“"Spoken to about it."
"Nurse Petrie! . Have you been praying again?. . I see we've got enough commode chairs in the old peoples ward now!"”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 11:26AM
“"Spoken to about it.". . You really couldn't make it up!!! . "You will really have to stop praying for people nurse Petrie. . Too many are now recovering. . You are putting us all out of a job!" . . Best Charles”
by negative, croydn
Saturday, February 07 2009, 11:03PM
“It must be remembered she was suspended because she had been spoken to about this before. And she wasn't suspended - she is a bank nurse - her services were just not utilised. Also, it must be remembered that the NHS is a discriminatory organisation - why else are senior nurses called 'Sisters'? In male orientated workplaces such terms as 'Policeman, Fireman' etc were altered years ago to gender neutral terms. If this nurse happens to work in a workplace that does not even adhere to its own diversity policies, what do they expect?”
by Daisy, USA
Friday, February 06 2009, 7:44PM
“North Somerset PCT: Apparently you still have too much pride to admit that you are collectively wrong.
In your statement you pretend to be aware of patients' spiritual needs, yet you still fail to incorporate it as part of a care plan. Until that is addressed as a routine part of holistic health care, equally as necessary as 'fluids and bowels' , you are still failing to be sure to elicit whether the patients spiritual needs have been taken into account as part of their care, allowing patients to opt in or opt out according to their choice. They should not have to ask for it, any more than they should have to ask for antibiotics for an infection.
Do you wait until the patient asks for food before you initiate meals on wheels to feed a hungry person?
Patients' spiritual needs should be included on a care plan check list.
Faith-based support can be a life-line to patients both in care facilities and in the community. Often the nurse constructing the care plan is the only point of inquiry or contact for that avenue of care and support.
And what about people who are forgetful or confused? They are not likely to attend to their basic needs like food and toilet, let alone initiate a request for prayer, so it is up to the agent of 'care' to check that these needs have been considered.
Even for patients in the depth of dementia one ministers to the spirit, not to the intellect. Churches and their members also provide community activities, companionship, visits to the isolated and lonely.
Until the subject appears as standard operating procedure on your care plans, please don't pretend to understand diversity, or sensitivity to the patients' spiritual needs. Your policies need to be reviewed, and the managers need re-training to encompass spiritual needs for patients of all faiths, or record their option to decline.
I suggest that Nurse Petrie is appointed to your advisory board, since she is clearly more in touch with the patients needs, and appears to have a better grasp of diversity.”