Union reps slam new code of conduct for nurses
THE Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has updated The Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct, and one section is causing a stir among nursing unions.
South Burnett
Don't miss out on the headlines from South Burnett. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has updated The Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct, and one section is causing a stir among nursing unions.
The updated code has been effective as of March 1.
Graeme Haycroft, the executive director of Nurses Professional Association of Australia is displeased with Section 3.2 of the code.
The section states:
"Culturally safe and respectful practice requires having knowledge of how a nurse's own culture, values, attitudes, assumptions and beliefs influence their interactions with people and families, the community and colleagues. To ensure culturally safe and respectful practice, nurses must understand that only the person and/or their family can determine whether or not care is culturally safe and respectful.”
Mr Haycroft said this meant a patient could accuse a nurse of not providing culturally safe or respectful care, and only the patient or their family could determine if this was true.
"Then they can make a complaint accordingly. And, there is no defence because there is no standard test or criteria which a nurses behaviour is compared to. How can a nurse know what is culturally acceptable when only the patient can determine if the behaviour is acceptable? This makes it very subjective,” Mr Haycroft said.
"The intent is important. But, the wording and tone makes this completely subjective.
"Nurses save lives. That's their job, despite who the patient is or their cultural background.”
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) was contacted for a response to NPAA's comments.
NMBA Chair Associate Professor Lynette Cusack RN released a joint statement with the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives.
"Cultural safety is about acknowledging how our own culture and assumptions can have an impact on the care we give. about ensuring we are self-aware and work in a genuine partnership with people,” Professor Cusack said.
Heartbreak as family’s ‘dream home’ razed by inferno
The family of a popular couple influential in Australia’s horsing and cattle industry whose home was destroyed in a devastating fire, have spoken about the extraordinary efforts to try to save the rural property.
Fire starts in kitchen after occupant leaves for work
Firefighters were called to multiple incidents overnight, including a fire in a kitchen and a nasty crash where they had to cut the driver free from the vehicle.