May I answer this from the perspective of a Community First Responder who
does volunteer work for Oxfordshire Ambulance Service? The system works that
when there is a 999 call for an ambulance the call goes both to the
Community Responder and the Ambulance Service and the Responders usually get
there first! Both the Responders and the Ambulance Service have disclaimer
forms that the casualty has to sign to say they refuse treatment/to go to
hospital. It is their right to refuse. However, in the workplace the
individual may be required to leave the workplace if they are a danger to
themselves or others. We cannot force anyone to have any treatment they
refuse providing they have been given information about their condition and
are legally competent to understand it. Also, if you are a nurse I refer you
to Section 3.1 of the NMC Code of Conduct.
Hope that helps,
Greta Thornbory
Consultant, Occupational Health & Education
www.gtenterprises-uk.com
Tel: 01235 770156
Mob: 07778 518 027
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jo Jenkins" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 1:47 PM
Subject: Right of Refusal
> All
>
> I wonder if anyone can advise me - last week had a situation where an
> individual with breathing problems was attended to by a first aider who
> advised him that he needed to be seen at the local A&E department. The
> first aider wanted to call an ambulance. This individual has an on going
> history of dyspnoea
>
> The 'casualty' refused his advice and also refused the first aider
> permission to telephone his wife to come and collect him. He went home by
> Taxi (thank goodness nothing happened).
>
> As an interim measure we have put a diclaimer in place. Can anyone advise
> me if we have the right to force (for want of a better word)the casualty
to
> go to hospital if we feel that the individuals health is at great risk or
> would this be seen as an infringement of human rights? Would a disclaimer
> be sufficient if the casualty then left the premises by his own accord and
> then collapsed?
>
> Thanks
>
> Jo
>
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