Nursing staff banned from lighting paralysed man's cigarettes

A tobacco-addicted patient and his Australian nursing home are at odds over regulations that stop staff helping him to smoke. Brendan Nutting, who is paralysed from the neck down and has lived at the home for 2 1/2 years, received help from staff when the Tasmanian Health and Community Service was owned by the Tasman Council.

But, in February the Hobart District Nurses took over the home, and from next month will enforce a policy that prohibits staff from lighting Mr Nutting's cigarettes, which are held in a robotic arm attached to his wheelchair. The home's managers said their hands were tied by strict occupational health and safety regulations.

Advocacy Tasmania and the Multiple-Sclerosis Society said bureaucracy was prevailing over common sense. They are campaigning for an individual agreement to be struck with management so willing staff can help Mr Nutting, 54.



"I'm stuck in here - I'm too young to be in a nursing home. Now I can't even have a fag," Mr Nutting said. "This is supposed to be my home. I'm supposed to have rights. The staff are happy to help me but it's just the ridiculous system - there is no common sense."

Mr Nutting, a former boiler maker-welder, was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago. It has now paralysed him from the neck down. His disease is advanced and he understands it will shorten his life.

"It is a prick of a disease, I have to rely on everyone else to do everything for me," he said. Employees have been told they will lose their jobs if they assist him, despite the willingness of many to help.