Nicky
I can't see their argument holding up in a court of law. It is surely a "reasonable adjustment" to have a break to attend to one's health? Diabetes is covered under the DDA and so the student has a legal right to more breaks if it is connected to their 'disability' and is not unreasonable. A bit 'unprofessional' not to allow the breaks, and a bit ironic considering they are working in a health setting!!
Does the hospital have an occupational health department the student could refer to to have the rest break recommendations made?
Sharron Sturgess
University Disability Officer
Disabilities and Additional Needs Service
Loughborough University
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hammond Nicola Miss (DOS)
Sent: 04 March 2008 13:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Breaks during placements for students with diabetes
Dear wise people,
I have been contacted by a nursing student with Type 1 Diabetes who is
out on an acute placement. The student is currently having some
difficulty with being allowed the lunch/snack breaks which he needs to
control his hypoglycaemia. The student reports that the effect of his
insulin acts for about 4-5 hours. In order to regulate his blood sugars
during his 12.5 hour shifts he requires a short breakfast break, a lunch
break and another short break at tea time. The placement seem reluctant
to let him take the break at tea time expecting him to wait until he
goes off shift. When it has come to placement feedback he has been
informed that it appears unprofessional to ask for more breaks or go off
to have a 5 minute snack at tea time and other staff are not allowed
this.
His shifts are 7.30am-8pm. He has been told that he is legally allowed
20 minutes for every 6 hours of work. If the student has breakfast
before leaving the house, this will have to be 6.30am and he will then
not make it through a busy morning on the ward. He therefore has a
brief breakfast 5-10 minutes in the nursing station at about 8am and
takes lunch as usual (30 minutes). He really requires a tea break as
well at about 5pm to control his blood sugars. But if he takes a normal
30 mins at lunch and the 5-10 minutes he needs at 8am he is told that he
is not entitled to a tea break. I suppose he could do it if he
shortened his lunch break but I feel that everyone needs a certain
amount of rest at lunch.
Does anyone have a clear idea of the rights/ responsibilities in this
area? I would very much appreciate feedback and suggestions of where to
go from here.
Many thanks
Nicky Hammond
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