Negative affect on other rest-homes.

I am writing to express my disappointment and displeasure in what I had considered to be a professional organisation that upheld the Code of Rights. The recent photographs on caregivers have caused an unnecessary sensation regarding a part of nursing that already has to work hard to promote itself as a positive area to work in.

While I realise the intention was to provide a positive image of caregiving and the work caregivers do, it has had a very negative affect publicly on organisations providing such care. I would have thought that, for a magazine of your calibre, some thought would have been given to the impact some of the pictures would have had.

It is a breach of client rights to take and publish such pictures and, in spite of reassurance that consent was given, there are ethical considerations for a professional organisation printing such photos. Would such photos have been permitted of intellectually or physically disabled children being cared for by a caregiver? I also value caregivers and the work they do, but there are better and more effective ways to promote the position as a career choice and also to recognise the diversity of their role. If these photos were supposed to highlight the plight of caregiver wages, the negative reaction has done Little to advance their cause.

I trust you will give due consideration to the public and professional reaction and consider this in future publications.

Heather Harlow, nurse manager, Aroha Care Centre, Lower Hutt