Bmagh

Dear Colleagues I would like your views on the subject of relationships with ex-patients. Both employers and the NMC band relationships with ex-patients under their policies and procedures however I feel that they should NOT have the right to do so. If a ex-patient has a capacity to make their own choices then if they choose to have a relationship with a member of staff then they should be allowed too. Restricting the rights of nurses to do so appears to be a breach of the following articles of the Human Rights Act. Article 7 - the right not to be punished for something which was not a crime at the time it was done Article 8 - the right to respect for one's private and family life, correspondence and home Article 12 - the right to marry and found a family Being punished for a legal relationship should not be allowed. We are nurses while we are in work but once we are out of work we should have the right to have a private life with anyone we choose, Doctors are now allowed too so why should nursing staff be different. If I fall for a ex-patient and wish to marry them then what right does ANYONE have to interfere. I would like others opinions to see if I am just being arrogant in my opinion. Thanks