From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: News & information
Date: 10 Okt 2009
Time: 12:13:41 +0200
Remote Name: 86.133.192.7
In a regional news report from Huddersfield comes the story of "an experienced nurse who quit her job in anger after she was ordered to carry used swabs and bandages in her own car.
"Rosemary Robinson, 53, spent 11 years as a district nurse, treating patients in their own homes in and around Huddersfield.
"But she resigned after her employer, Kirklees Community Healthcare Services, which is part of the NHS Kirklees health trust, told all district nurses they would have to transport clinical waste themselves. "Mrs Robinson, of Long Lane in Honley, said:
“I told them I would resign rather than carry clinical waste in my car because, whatever they say, it’s a risk.
And so she did.
"In the past, waste was bagged up in the patient’s home and collected by an authorised disposal service, working under contract for the NHS.
"But the policy had to change because of the 2005 Hazardous Waste Regulations.
"The regulations mean whoever produces the waste is responsible for managing it. "Mrs Robinson said the Government gave health trusts the option of employing a private contractor or having their own staff carry waste.
"From June, sealed boxes were issued to Kirklees district nurses to put waste in.
I have no sympathy. The woman is clearly making a big issue of this, and there may be other issues involved that have not been reported. But there is sufficient evidence in my mind to consider this lady as highly unprofessional.