NHS staff face sacking if they talk about religion or their beliefs with colleagu

Quote:
All National Health Service employees risk losing their job if they discuss their religious beliefs with colleagues or patients..................Following overwhelming public support for Caroline Petrie, the Christian nurse who was suspended after she offered to pray for an elderly patient, her employers have caved said she could return to her job.

The row over her treatment has reached the House of Commons, with Sir Patrick Cormack, the Tory MP for South Staffordshire, claiming that her case had highlighted the ?utter absurdities? of political correctness.

Although Mrs Petrie was relieved her ordeal was over, fears have been raised that new rules could lead to the dismissal of any health care worker who tries to talk about their faith to others.

A little-noticed document published by the Department of Health last month gives warning that attempts by doctors or nurses to preach to other staff or patients will be treated as harassment or intimidation under disciplinary procedures.

But it does not make clear the limits of acceptable discussion about religion.

Faith groups said the guidelines were so vague that they could mean action could be taken against anyone who talks about their beliefs to fellow workers or patients. etc etc etc

@sister_of_mercy Said

Although she was trying to be nice, if it were me I'd be a bit offended by that if she offered to pray for me. If she is a good nurse though then it shouldn't really matter, but I don't think any religion should be involved with medical matters unless the patient decides to bring up the topic, I'd feel a bit uneasy.

@iliterate_enginere Said

How can you be offended by that?

@iliterate_enginere Said

How can you be offended by that?

@hallucinogenic_lipstick Said

Jehovahs piss me off when they turn up at wards preaching their religion, normally to people who are in no fit state to say bugger off

@sister_of_mercy Said

Well not strongly offended, I'd just think it wasn't their place to say things like that, they might not want to be prayed for. I can't explain it exactly but I just don't think it's right to bring religion into things that are not necessary.

@hallucinogenic_lipstick Said

Unless the patient expressly brings religion into their illness religion shouldn't be bought up.

Jehovahs piss me off when they turn up at wards preaching their religion, normally to people who are in no fit state to say bugger off

@sheepy Said

Saw this in the news today

Clicky to story source




Well, the thing about this news story, is that nothing is set in stone, it's people worrying more than anything - however the guidelines are there..........it could happen.


However - does anyone seriously believe, if anyone does get sacked for discussing religion, it will be anyone but a Christian?
It shows how far cynicism has gone with percieved inequal treatment, that everyone I've spoken to on this news story so far has said the same thing..........does anyone seriously believe a Muslim would ever be sacked for talking about Islam? Can you imagine the uproar.

And before any knuckle draggers try making a racial thing out of this - don't even go there This is not an attack on anyone, more those who try to impose ridiculous laws.