A nurse is alleged to have told a cancer patient that he should use cannabis oil – and that if the disease didn’t kill him, chemotherapy would.
Filipino Michael Ian Carreon Redito is facing an allegation of professional misconduct over the incident with a patient at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, RTE reports.
Redito, who has more than 10 years experience, allegedly made the comments to a patient named as Mr A on 10 July 2017.
The inquiry heard from Dr Edward Matthews, Director of Professional and Regulatory Services at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, who said Mr Redito had expressed remorse, admitted the facts of the allegation, and that it was professional misconduct.
Mr A, a garda officer, said he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous lump at the hospital in 2016. In June 2017 he returned for another biopsy which also found cancer.
He told the inquiry he was “flabbergasted” and “shocked” by the remarks as he felt the meaning behind them was that his cancer was terminal.
Mr A said he complained to the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland because the remarks made him uncomfortable and he should highlight the matter.
He has since recovered.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation did not wish to comment.
The Mater Private Hospital has been approached for a comment.
CBD oil is legal in Ireland. However under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 all derivatives of cannabis and hemp containing THC are illegal, even if they contain only trace amounts.
