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LONDON - British nurses have come under fire after a survey revealed that thousands believed that having an affair with a patient was alright.
Almost one in 10 confided that starting a relationship with one of their patients was acceptable while one in six knew a colleague who had had a sexual relationship with a patient they were caring for.
In Britain, nurses can face a range of disciplinary action, including being struck off, if they are found to be having a relationship with a patient.
The Royal College of Nursing described the findings from the survey of 3600 nurses by the Nursing Times magazine as 'very concerning'.
General secretary Dr Peter Carter told The Sunday Times that a nurse's relationship with a patient they were caring for 'can never be condoned'.
However, he said it could be acceptable for a nurse to start a relationship with a former patient.
- AAP
