question about what rights a nanny has to refuse to do something we have asked of her

[thisisdifficult]

I have a nanny 1 day a week. she is brilliant. it so happens that the swine flu jab appointments for my dcs has come up for the day she works. i have asked her to take the dcs to the appts as i had so much time off due to the snow that i (or dh) simply cannot take any more time out to do it (however much we might like to be the ones to take them there). if she isnt comfortable doing it because she is trying to avoid doctors surgeries as is pregnant and not wanting to catch swine flu (who does?) i think she may refuse. do you think it is reasonable for her to refuse? i dont but wonder what popular opinion might be.

swine flu people if got it wont be having the jabs, so wont be any swine flu germs at doctors so tbh i dont think your nanny is at risk

if you want to take your dc cant you re arrange the appointment?

have tried to rearrange appt but surgery being v difficult about it and now have left it too late as it is tomorrow. i agree nanny not at risk which is why i think it unreasonable if she decides not to take them.

I think this is in within her normal duties under most circumstances. However, I do think wanting to avoid sick people when you are pregnant is reasonable. Although, I would wait for her to point this out. I certainly went to the GP when I was pregnant. And she may be happy to do the same.

But, if she says no and the reason is related to her being pregnant, I would accept that. Perhaps you could call the GP and see if they can offer you a late appointment after work?

i have tried to get a late appt/ one on another day. they say no. i think nanny should simply do it but interested in your view strix,thnks.

The GP, however, is being unreasonable.

yes i realise that re the surgery. but i just cant manage to get past those receptionists no matter how polite/ assertive i am. they say the vaccine will now be wasted as noone else will be in and the nurses go home and all appts taken

Have you done a risk assessment for your pregnant nanny? Does attending a GPs surgery count as a risk, regardless of whether she's going with her charge or to see her own midwife?

If it is a risk to a pregnant woman (seek medical advice) your nanny is within her rights to refuse, if not then she should be able to carry out her duties as usual but tread very, very carefully.

What a rude receptionist. I would complain and remind her that the purpose of the NHS is to serve the population and not the other way around. (of course I am not known for making friends with stroppy GO receptionists so you might not want to listen to me)

Has your nanny actually said she doesn't want to go or you anticipating this is what she will say?

Most of my ante-natal appointments were at the GP surgery, tbh I think it is a bit unrealistic for her to avoid sick people totally (unless she has some underlying immune thingy)

she hasnt said this, no. but she has tried to call me since i asked her to do it (i was driving so oculd not take the call). i am therefore wondering whether this is something she MIGHT say and anticipating my response.

Would it not just be easier to listen to what she has to say and then make a decision. Seems like unecessary worrying to me.

I think she is probably within her rights to avoid the GP surgery if she wants to.

Don't agree but she is within her rights, I guess.

Another thought though is that your DC is going to want mummy after the injection, probably.

And if the nanny refuses it may be that she wants you around.

You might also find that the GP wont do it without you being present.

I know when I was nannying (ok it was a million years ago) the GP would not do this sort of thing without written consent from parents, if they were not present.

Good point bbm - I've always had written consent from parents before taking childrn for iummunisations.

written consent is not a problem to provide- thanks for the tip. it is her taking them there that is the issue! i have just sought medical advice and as she has been vaccinated herself against swine flu the doctors surgery presents no risk for her.

I wuold ask her but if she doesn't want to, then don't make her

I faint when I see this sort of thing so DH usually has to take the children

It can be EXTREMELY stressful to observe

As a cm, I refuse to take kiddies for jabs in case I a reaction.
I also refuse to give the first dose of antibiotics or penecillen for same reason.

good point BM

what if there is reaction or something?

I hate these sorts of things

ditto - i have permisiion note stating that i can take to doctors and injections be given under my care - also have that in emergancy if the parents cant be contacted that i can give permission for operations/anastestics to go ahead

if the nanny hasnt said she wont take to doctors then do think you are worrying a bit prematurley(sp)

How will the vacine be 'wasted'? Doesn't it have to be kept refrigerated - and would have thought it would have a long 'expiry' date as the manufacturers won't know when it's going to be used. Think the receptionist at your GP is being a bit harsh. Have you tried speaking to the practice manager?

well the letter itself and all the receptionists / clinic clerks i have spoken to are clear on the whole 'wasted' thing which i ont understnad either as i am not medically qualified. anyway she is a star and you are all right i was worrying unnecessarily. she was just pointing out there isnt much room left on her lap for the dcs (due to bump!) and checking i had agreed that written consent is good enough. so all should be fine!

glad all was ok

moral of story - dont panic/worry till you have to

hope jab goes well

Just one thing re "wasted jabs" - the surgery may not have somewhere to store vaccines, they may get vaccines delivered from a central store - in which case if you don't attend the vaccine may well be wasted. Whilst I agree that NHS is here to serve the public, the public also have responsibilities to the NHS - one of which is to attend appointments if possible.

I think avoiding the GP surgery is ridiculous, especially as her antenatal appointments will probably be there anyway.

Regarding he waste issue - the swine flu vaccine comes in vials of 10 doses, and once a vial is opened it can't be stored. So it's only advisable to open a vial for 10 people, otherwise the rest is wasted - and it's not cheap. It's a pain I know, but that's the way it is.

i have to take g everytime he needs to go don t matter if weighing, injections and also hospital appointments and i am a nanny and i was pregnant til recently. being a nanny your meant be be a proxy parent that the whole point of a nanny not a child care facility

Iklboo what Rebecca said.
They have to make appointments for people in blocks of 10 it doesn't come in individual vials it is one big one for 10 people and has to be used once opened or disposed of straight away remainder cannot be stored.