Caring for a relative in pregnancy and labour (1164)

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde deems it to be undesirable and unacceptable and recommends that whenever possible employees should avoid providing care to anyone with whom there is a close personal relationship.

If during the course of staff employment, the staff member is asked to care for or treat a relative/family member or close friend or encounters a relative/family member or close friend in their area of work, advice and support should be sought immediately from the appropriate Line Manager. The principles may be applied to other situations where personal and professional boundaries may be compromised.

In practice, employees should not consider treating a relative or close friend unless in an emergency and it is absolutely unavoidable. If done, it should be for the shortest possible time until care can be handed over.

All midwives are accountable for their practice in whatever environment they are practicing. Midwives who care for their close friends, relatives or fellow colleagues during pregnancy, childbirth or in the postnatal period, need to consider that there is the potential for increased stress and emotional involvement that could possibly influence objective decision-making.

Midwives need to understand and acknowledge that potential conflicts could occur in such situations and that there may be a need for additional support and guidance.

Midwives should be able to decline the request if they are concerned with their ability to provide impartial proven evidence based advice or care.

When present on rostered time

The Royal College of Nursing advises that the following principles should be applied:

• The first priority must be to the patient
• The needs of the patient are paramount
• The patient has a right to have his/her privacy protected.
• Obligations to the patient, health care team and other members of staff must be met
• Professional standards must be upheld e.g. accountability

If the member of staff wishes to continue working in an area where a relative/family member is being cared for or treated, this should be carefully considered and fully discussed with the line manager and the wider healthcare team as appropriate. Involvement in direct care should be avoided.

If staff are approached by a relative or friend to provide direct clinical care a discussion with your line manager must be arranged as soon as possible. Following discussion an individual supportive plan may be arranged.  This plan must have final agreement by the Lead Midwife and/or Director of Midwifery. Written confirmation of the plan must be uploaded on to the women’s Badger-Net record and a copy provided for the staff member and a copy for the HR personal file.

There can be situations where an employee is rostered or is required to work in a department where a family member or friend is being cared for. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde deems it undesirable in this situation and unacceptable that a midwife or other health professional is involved in their direct patient care. The issue of whether the employee continues to work in the general surrounding clinical area should be discussed fully, with consideration given to both the practitioner and family member. Redeployment to another clinical areas may be required.

Not on rostered time

The employee may choose to be present as a support to the relative/family member or close friend. In this instance they should not provide direct patient care or document in patient notes.

Consideration to employee roster commitments should be discussed with line manager to ensure working and/or cover arrangements. Support care given should ideally be outside of the midwife’s rostered hours.