It is a very cold icy morning. There's been a surge of people coming into the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of the hospital where you work with degrees of injuries, because they had slipped on ice.
Marie, a 40 year old woman, has been admitted on to the day case surgical ward. Marie suffers with anxiety and depression and is awaiting elective surgery to explore and repair a suspected torn medial meniscus (knee fibrocartilage tissue). Marie was dropped off by her husband because she does not drive.
Due to unforeseen circumstances within the theatre department, Marie has a long wait prior to surgery. She eventually becomes frustrated at what she perceives to be a lack of progress and communication as to when she will be taken for her operation. Suddenly, after waiting 4 hours, Marie gets up from her chair and limps purposefully down the corridor, stating angrily that she is 'sick of waiting' and wants to 'go outside for a cigarette.'
The hospital Trust in which you work as a pharmacist/health professional operates a no smoking policy within its buildings and grounds. The hospital has very large grounds and to leave them entirely would require at least a 15 minute, painful walk for Marie, who is unsteady on her feet.
Do you agree with the proposal below? Please make sure you write a 200-300 word justification of your point of view, with evidence if possible.
This issue was created by Vanessa Peutherer (Values Exchange, researcher and author).
It is proposed that Marie is prevented from leaving the ward to have a cigarette prior to surgery