First Do No Harm

  • To continue the tradition and maintain the right of nurses to act as the patient’s advocate in line with the expectation of and support from the profession.
  • To be prepared to protect patients from people/practices aimed at killing them.
  • To maintain the historical nursing duty of care and respect for people, who may or may not be able to speak for themselves.
  • To offer a network of support and encouragement to nurses concerned about the threat to life of patients in their care/work environments.
  • To challenge the assertion that assisted nutrition and hydration, constitute medical treatment, considering this, in almost every case as a basic necessity of care, when required, appropriate and possible.
  • To be answerable for own actions and omissions regardless of advice and directions from another professional.
  • To work against legalised euthanasia and promote humane, compassionate care alternatives.
  • To raise awareness of the Nursing and Midwifery Council code of Professional conduct,(2015) in relation to respect for people’s rights.

Nursing & Midwifery Council (2015) Code of Professional Conduct, standards for conduct, performance and ethics. NMC London.