Nurse loses job over church advice to patients

A Christian nurse has allegedly been sacked after suggesting that patients should turn to God during a staff training day.

Anand Rao, who works as a nurse for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, was taking part in a role play when he advised one woman playing the role of a patient with a life-threatening heart condition that she could alleviate stress by going to church, reports the BBC.

Kate Bradley, from the Trust, was quoted as saying that Mr Rao had “showed little regard for the standards of care and professionalism that is expected of him as a nurse”.

The Christian Legal Centre has taken up the case and says it is considering taking legal action over the Trust’s decision to dismiss Mr Rao, 71.

CLC director Andrea Minichiello Williams said: "How is it possible that a nurse who has served the public for 40 years should find himself dismissed because in a training exercise he advised someone to go to church?

"To seek to censor and suppress this kind of language and belief is the fruits of a closed society."
News
'Light of hope for us': Christmas lights illuminate Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in two years
'Light of hope for us': Christmas lights illuminate Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in two years

Bethlehem and Jerusalem have ushered in the Christmas season with public celebrations and glittering lights for the first time in two years, marking a poignant moment of hope in cities still grappling with the humanitarian and economic fallout of the Gaza war.

Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 
Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 

The Bishop of Winchester has defended the recent decision of the House of Bishops to pause plans to introduce standalone same-sex blessing services. 

Protecting girls and young women in the digital age
Protecting girls and young women in the digital age

It’s a missional priority for us as Christian communities to have open discussions about both the benefits and downsides of being online.

Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

Richard Turnbull brought an unusual combination of skills to his life’s work. He died on 26 October, aged 65, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.