Relationships with ex-patients

World UK

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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

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Is this homework?

Who is restricting the rights of nurses?

A quick perusal of the NMC code of practice shows no barrier to having relationships with patients but you must protect vulnerable people 3.4.

Why have you linked to a site which has a list of US employers?

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

OK, noticed when I posted that for some reason employers becomes a link.

Any reason for this moderators?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Not seeing any links, will ask our tech guy see if he has any ideas

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Hi Silverdragon, seems to have resolved. Perhaps it was just my computer.

It was just the one word that was a link in the original post and when I commented the same word became a link in my comment.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

While I'm not from the UK, I do see some fallacies in your argument. The primary one is the originating event.

If you were a "nurses while we are in work," how did you get into a relationship with the patient, who is now an ex-patient? Did you randomly run into them at market, and things went from there? Or did you foster a relationship while in your professional capacity, exchange contact information, then go from there?

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To specifically address the reference to Article 7: "the right not to be punished for something which was not a crime":

Complete Red Herring when applied to this case.

We are all bound by the Terms & Conditions of our employment - but very few of those rules and regulations are crimes if broken.

Example: It is not a crime to show up late for work. It is not against the law. You will not be arrested for it.

But... guess what? That doesn't mean it's okay.

You will be disciplined and, eventually, fired.

But nobody is treating it as a "Crime", therefore Article 7 is NOT being broken.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Still think this is homework. Why has the OP not come back with their own thoughts and/or comments.

Not even pointed out that NMC code is applicable - section 20 especially part 20.6.

Agree with you totally that Human Rights Act is a complete red herring - employment law is much more applicable.

So come on Bmagh, you joined a week ago, posted once and have disappeared. No way to make friends. Talk to us.

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