----- Original Message -----From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Sue MorleyTo: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 2:55 PMSubject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] DISCLOSUREHi Tracy
I was faced with a similar dilemma only it involved a company mini bus driver. This individual acknowledged they had an alcohol abuse problem and had been in rehab for 6 months prior to starting work (failed to mention on PEHQ but that's another story!). He started drinking again and was sent to me because he was 'behaving oddly'. I got him redeployed to a safer area, but he wanted to go back to driving, the company wanted him to go back to driving as he had been employed as a driver, and he refused to allow me to discuss his condition with the employer. I subsequently found out he had a long history of alcohol and drug abuse and had been 'sectioned' on a number of occasions. I wanted his consent to discuss with the employer so we could support him whilst he sought help again but he declined and insisted I did not disclose his history to the employer.After much soul searching, consultations with UKCC (as it was then) and the RCN I informed the individual formally that I would under Health & Safety have to breach his confidentiality in the 'public interest'. It was very unnerving, felt totally alien and I felt so guilty after so many years of protecting confidentiality, but I was left with no option. This all took weeks to come about and I felt increasingly uncomfortable and negligent because I knew this man was driving company employees around and he may have been under the influence of alcohol. I had to do something.
The company agreed to redeployment to a safer area and support but he left.
I really appreciate your dilemma.
Sue
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracy Bluestone
Sent: 12 January 2007 13:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] DISCLOSUREHello all,
can anyone advise on this scenario please.
Qualified nurse, refuses to see GP, presents to OH, tearful, stating they are self-harming, drinking too much alcohol, unable to stop until the bottle is empty, and has moments of loss of memory and aggression.Issues of confidentiality, protection of staff nurse and patients, will not see GP, so is not off sick.
What to do next?
Thanks
Tracy~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remove this footer before replying.For list archives and documents, go to
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlFORTHCOMING CONFERENCES AND EVENTS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTHFor Occupational Health jobs, go to http://OHJobs.drmaze.net
Find out about Occupational Health Nursing Education in UK at http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~in6232/aohne/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying.For list archives and documents, go to http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html
FORTHCOMING CONFERENCES AND EVENTS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
For Occupational Health jobs, go to http://OHJobs.drmaze.net
Find out about Occupational Health Nursing Education in UK at http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~in6232/aohne/
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.9/623 - Release Date: 11/01/2007 15:33