Beware of herbal remedies

Recently I advised a nurse going through internal disciplinary proceedings within a NHS Trust. During their care of a cancer patient, in a misguided attempt to help, they referred the patient to the use of a non-supported remedy, Essiac. On my advice, the nurse submitted evidence that their behaviour was a result of positive transference, and reflected on how and why that behaviour was wrong. As a result, the nurse was not dismissed and retained their employment with a final written warning.

Nurses and other medical professionals must be careful not to recommend herbal remedies where those remedies have not been formally adopted as appropriate treatment by either the employer or some other formal source such as the NHS.