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Silly rules and regulations

Once again, during my travels in Ireland these past few days, the ridiculous rules imposed by the Occupational Health and Safety police surfaced. No-one disputes the necessity for making workplaces safe, but their over enthusiastic approach has, in some instances, become absurd.

There was the story of one hospital where someone had an accident with the kettle, resulting in a blanket ban on the use of electric jugs by visitors (read: fathers) to the labour ward. In another unit, a hot pack was overheated by someone unfamiliar with the microwave, so all hot packs were banned forthwith.

I have heard of midwives being told that if they don’t wear uniforms, they will not have any insurance (unbelievable!) and long hair and false fingernails being outlawed because of concerns about possible infection.

All of these measures and wonderful examples of the “nanny state” where people are not expected to take any responsibility for themselves and instead and shepherded from cradle to grave by “caring” authorities. Rules like these almost encourage dissent, because they are so patently over the top. If we treat adults like children then they will behave that way.....

If fathers can’t be trusted to boil a kettle then what is the world coming to? If the microwave is some fancy model that needs instruction in its use, then why not provide some basic hints and then let then get on with it?

I am going to start making a list of all the silly rules and regulations being imposed on midwives and expectant parents in an effort to keep them in line. They will make good reading in a future Diary entry. Let me know of you have some good example to share.

Posted by andrea at June 08, 2004 06:57 PM

Comments

Hi Andrea,

I will ask my Masters friends to start writing them down. In one of my past work places, a woman asked for a hot pack and was promptly told that they were hazardous. She was then offered the pain relief menu of pethidine, epidural etc. MAD!!

Only a few days ago, I was ticked off by some midwives because I referred a woman with a disablilty to an Occupational Therapist. Apparently only doctors can make such referrals.

Regards,

Jeannie Minnis

Posted by: JEANNIE MINNIS on June 15, 2004 11:31 AM

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