Whistle-blower Nurse Struck Off Register (UK)

Secret filming nurse struck off

Margaret Haywood worked undercover on a Panorama documentary A nurse who secretly filmed for the BBC to reveal the neglect of elderly patients at a hospital has been struck off for misconduct. Margaret Haywood, 58, filmed at the Royal Sussex Hospital  in Brighton for a BBC Panorama programme in July 2005.   She was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council which said she failed to "follow her obligations as a nurse". Ms Haywood, a nurse for over 20 years, said she thought she had been treated harshly and had put patients first. Ms Haywood, from Liverpool, said: "I am absolutely devastated and upset by it all. I think I have been treated very harshly. "It is a serious issue and I knew it was a risk I was taking but I thought the filming was justified and it was in the public interest. "I always made it clear to the BBC that patients would come first at all times." She said she had voiced her concerns through her immediate line manager "but nothing was really taken on board" and the whole process now needed to be reviewed. 'Patients' dignity compromised' A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Whistle-blowers already have full protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act passed by this Government. "We expect that any member of staff who reports concerns about the safety or quality of care to be listened to by their managers and action taken to address their concerns." She was found guilty of misconduct on Wednesday following a fitness to practise hearing. The panel said she "followed the behest of the filmmakers... rather than her obligations as a nurse". The chair of the panel, Linda Read, said Ms Haywood had prioritised the filming, which in the view of the panel "was a major breach of the code of conduct". She said: "A patient should be able to trust a nurse with his/her physical condition and psychological wellbeing without that confidential information being disclosed to others.

Abridged

SOURCE:   BBC News UK

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This is another example of a reporter of elder abuse and neglect been punished.  If the authorities involved are really serious about protecting the welfare and rights of seniors; they MUST protect reporters of elder abuse. 

It is time for the panel of that Council to rethink and re-work their rules. I bet they do not have anything in their rule book, regarding reporting elder abuse and neglect. 

Nurse Haywood should be commended NOT punished.

..................  AC

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