Anti-vaccine nurses take note. You are on notice.

On June 3 2012 I wrote a post about a rather disturbing set of events pertaining to the harassment of a grieving family by a registered nurse. For background, I suggest reading the post:  Kerry Baker: Registered Nurse; AVN Supporter; Vilifier of Grieving Families.

It has just come to light that the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has investigated nurse Kerry Baker for her attack on that grieving family, coupled with her denigration of other health professionals.

In a decision handed down on April 24 2013 the Queensland Notifications Committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia found that Baker’s professional conduct was unsatisfactory, issuing a caution to Baker, whilst agreeing to an undertaking from Baker that she undergo an approved education program regarding acceptable professional boundaries. If Baker refuses to complete this program further action will be likely.

Here is the full text of Baker’s undertaking, from her public AHPRA registration page:

I, Kerry Jane Baker of QLD offer the following undertaking to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (the Board),

1) Within three (3) months of the acceptance of the undertaking, I will nominate to the Board (or its delegate) for approval, in writing, an education program (“the course”) addressing professional boundaries in the context of the scope of practice for registered nurses. In particular the course will cover all aspects of;a. The Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia.b. The Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia.

2) Within twelve (12) months of the acceptance of the undertaking, I will satisfactorily complete the course and provide written evidence to the Board (or its delegate) of such satisfactory completion.

3) I authorise the Board (or its representative) and their approved educator to exchange information at such time or times as the Board (or its representative) shall determine for the purposes of monitoring compliance with these conditions.

4) Within 7 (seven) days of changing address, I will notify the Board in writing of that change.

I understand that this undertaking will remain in existence for 12 months commencing from the date it is accepted by the Board.

I also understand and acknowledge that if the Board accepts this offer, a failure to comply with the undertaking may result in health, performance or conduct action pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (Qld).

Given the unfortunate number of nurses and midwives who like to spread anti-vaccination misinformation, and denigrate their colleagues, the results of this investigation are welcome. The community expects better, and they demand it. And, now, these anti-vaccine professionals are on notice.

Of note, in the membership survey recently conducted by the anti-vaccination pressure group, the Australian Vaccination Network, it was found that 9% of the 445 respondents were nurses. I’m serious. Find another job, people.

Remember, nurses are among the most trusted of professions. Seriously, who doesn’t love nurses? What Baker did was despicable. I hope she has learned from it. It’s a shame she felt the compulsion to cause so much pain due to her beliefs.