Tweet
Nurse suspended for offering to pray for patient to get better
A Christian nurse has been suspended after offering to pray for the recovery of an elderly patient.
Caroline Petrie, 45, was accused of failing to show a commitment to equality and diversity after the incident and is now awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
The community nurse who carries out home visits in North Somerset, has been suspended by the primary care trust and could lose her job.
The married mother-of-two argues she did not force her beliefs on anyone but simply asked if the woman would like a prayer said for her, as she has done with other patients.
Speaking from her home she said she found it difficult to believe she had been asked to stop working over the matter and only wanted to help her patients recover.
She said: 'I'm not angry, and I understand if people don't believe in the way that I do. But I am upset because I enjoy this job and it (prayer) is a valuable part of the care I give.
'I became a Christian 10 years ago after my mother died. My faith got stronger and I realised God was doing amazing things in my life. I saw my patients suffering and as I believe in the power of prayer, I began asking them if they wanted me to pray for them. They are absolutely delighted.'
She says she has seen her supplications have real effects on patients, including one Catholic woman whose urine infection cleared up days after she said a prayer.
The incident that led to Mrs Petrie's suspension occurred after she visited a woman in Winscombe in December. She politely asked 'Would you like me to pray for you?' after putting dressings on her legs.
The woman said 'No, thank you', and Mrs Petrie insists she did not press the matter.
She added: 'I offered to pray for her as I was concerned about her welfare and wanted her to get better.'
The sick woman, understood to be her 70s, is believed to have told the trust about the incident. Mrs Petrie was challenged by her superiors.
Mrs Petrie said: 'The woman mentioned it to the sister who did her dressing the following day, she said that she wasn't offended but was concerned that someone else might be.
'I was spoken to by my manager. She said I've got a letter in one hand and an incident form in the other. You won't be able to work until we've investigated this incident.'
Husband Stewart, 48, is BT engineer and the couple have two sons, aged 14 and ten.
North Somerset Primary Care Trust said in a statement: 'Caroline Petrie has been suspended pending an investigation into the matter.
'She is a bank nurse and she has been told we will not be using her in this capacity until the outcome of our investigation is known.
'We always take any concerns raised by our patients most seriously and conscientiously investigate any matter of this nature brought to our attention.
'We are always keen to be respectful of our patients' views and sensitivity as well as those of our staff.'
................................
The replies in the MailOnline are pretty heated.
A Christian nurse has been suspended after offering to pray for the recovery of an elderly patient.
Caroline Petrie, 45, was accused of failing to show a commitment to equality and diversity after the incident and is now awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
The community nurse who carries out home visits in North Somerset, has been suspended by the primary care trust and could lose her job.
The married mother-of-two argues she did not force her beliefs on anyone but simply asked if the woman would like a prayer said for her, as she has done with other patients.
Speaking from her home she said she found it difficult to believe she had been asked to stop working over the matter and only wanted to help her patients recover.
She said: 'I'm not angry, and I understand if people don't believe in the way that I do. But I am upset because I enjoy this job and it (prayer) is a valuable part of the care I give.
'I became a Christian 10 years ago after my mother died. My faith got stronger and I realised God was doing amazing things in my life. I saw my patients suffering and as I believe in the power of prayer, I began asking them if they wanted me to pray for them. They are absolutely delighted.'
She says she has seen her supplications have real effects on patients, including one Catholic woman whose urine infection cleared up days after she said a prayer.
The incident that led to Mrs Petrie's suspension occurred after she visited a woman in Winscombe in December. She politely asked 'Would you like me to pray for you?' after putting dressings on her legs.
The woman said 'No, thank you', and Mrs Petrie insists she did not press the matter.
She added: 'I offered to pray for her as I was concerned about her welfare and wanted her to get better.'
The sick woman, understood to be her 70s, is believed to have told the trust about the incident. Mrs Petrie was challenged by her superiors.
Mrs Petrie said: 'The woman mentioned it to the sister who did her dressing the following day, she said that she wasn't offended but was concerned that someone else might be.
'I was spoken to by my manager. She said I've got a letter in one hand and an incident form in the other. You won't be able to work until we've investigated this incident.'
Husband Stewart, 48, is BT engineer and the couple have two sons, aged 14 and ten.
North Somerset Primary Care Trust said in a statement: 'Caroline Petrie has been suspended pending an investigation into the matter.
'She is a bank nurse and she has been told we will not be using her in this capacity until the outcome of our investigation is known.
'We always take any concerns raised by our patients most seriously and conscientiously investigate any matter of this nature brought to our attention.
'We are always keen to be respectful of our patients' views and sensitivity as well as those of our staff.'
................................
The replies in the MailOnline are pretty heated.
Comment