No action over prayer-row nurse

Mrs Petrie became a Christian at the age of 10 after the death of her mother

A Christian nurse who was suspended for offering to pray for a patient's recovery has been told she can return to work.

Community nurse Caroline Petrie, 45, from Weston-super-Mare asked an elderly woman patient during a home visit if she wanted her to say a prayer for her.

The patient complained to the health trust about Mrs Petrie's actions.

On Thursday, North Somerset NHS Trust said it had contacted Ms Petrie with a view to her returning to her work.

Female patient

In a statement, the trust said: "We have always been keen to bring this matter to a timely resolution. It has been a distressing and difficult time for Caroline and all staff involved."

Ms Petrie was suspended, without pay, on 17 December after asking the elderly female patient if she would like a prayer said for her.

The patient, believed to be in her 70s, refused and Mrs Petrie insisted that she left the matter alone.

The sick woman contacted the trust about the incident and Mrs Petrie was challenged by her superiors.

Mrs Petrie, who qualified as a nurse in 1985, became a Christian following the death of her mother.

"My faith got stronger and I realised God was doing amazing things in my life," she said.