Don’t hug patients

DOCTORS in the UK are being urged not to comfort patients with a hug in case they complain.

They are being warned to ‘err on the side of caution’ as a well-meaning embrace ‘could easily be misinterpreted’.

Instead, The Medical Defence Union, the UK’s largest body to defend doctors against legal claims suggests that if they wish to comfort a patient, they offer a handshake ‘to avoid embarrassment’.

The MDU also urges them to be ‘firm’ in refusing a hug from patients who may have ‘feelings’ for them, and explain that hugging is ‘inappropriate’.