66 Posts
You are probably safer with patients who have guards with them than those who haven't. I've lost count of the times patients have took a swing at me or hurled verbal abuse out.
I agree that it would appear the trained staff are in the wrong. No matter what this prisoner has done they are still entitled to the services of the NHS.
If staff have a particular grievance over what this prisoner may or may not have done, in all fairness it is nothing to do with them UNLESS the safety of themselves or the patients they care for is determined.
Personally these days I think you probably get more abuse and attacks from patients who are not prisoners and their relatives.
I'm probably going to be bombarded with criticism now....LOL!!!
633 Posts
Good for you WHisper...
The other staff are acting unprofessionally without question - a patient is a patient no matter who they are or what they have done - who are they to judge... That patient is being punished for whatever he has done. It is up to us nurses to care for our patients not to punish. The fact the pt has guards should bring reassurance not fear...
These staff need a kick up the backside to say the least.
14 Posts
whisper, I too have worked on placements with patients who are currently residing at HMP. (filling in admission forms is a scream sometimes, 'do you have stairs?, need help with the bath?' :chuckle )
First thoughts, good for you to provide a decent standard of care to this person when those around you seem unwilling.
Did you raise this as an issue with the staff on the ward? They have no business judging a patient or altering care to suit their own prejudices. This type of action (or inaction) goes against everything we are taught and trained to do. We are there to provide the best possible care to patients in need, regardless of who that patient is, what they have done, what they may do in the future or what we think about them.
I think you should mind 'doing bits for him' if you're doing it because nobody else will (as opposed to those busy time when all hands on deck etc,). Your colleagues are being unprofessional and unethical and you are maybe letting them get away with it by doing their work for them.
(oh is that a bit strong?)
:zzzzz
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
personally I think the trained staff are in the wrong, no matter what he has done, he deserves the same treatment as everyone else. I have worked on wards with prisoners and all the staff treated him the same as we would others. The only difference would be the prison officers present, and this should reassure the staff not deter them