Over 15,000 sign petition to support struck off RCN member
Published: 27 April 2009
Since it was launched ten days ago, more than 15,500 people have signed the petition in support of RCN member, Margaret Haywood. Ms Haywood was removed from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register after she exposed poor patient care at a hospital for a BBC Panorama programme in 2005.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said the RCN was continuing to provide support to Ms Haywood and added:
"The decision to remove Margaret from the professional register was unduly harsh and we are considering making an appeal. This petition is proof that there are many members of the public and the nursing profession who feel the same. The RCN has provided legal representation to Margaret from the outset and are continuing to advise her in this difficult time."
The RCN legal team are working closely with Margaret Haywood to examine the options for an appeal which must be lodged within 28 days of the NMC's decision to remove Margaret from the register.
Sign the online petition: www.gopetition.com/online/27030.html
Further information
Go to the BBC Panorama website for information on tonight's programme on BBC1 at 8.30pm, entitled "Who'd be an NHS whistleblower?"
Join the Facebook group: Margaret Haywood - show your support for whistleblowing nurse.
Read the RCN news story: Sign the petition to support struck off nurse - a special message from RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter (20 April 2009).
Read the RCN news story: RCN launches public petition in support of struck-off nurse (17 April 2009).
Read the RCN news story: RCN member considering legal options after being struck off (17 April 2009).
The RCN encourages members to raise any concerns they may have about patient care with their employer in the first instance. However, if members do not feel able to do this for any reason then they should contact the RCN as a matter of urgency. More information on whistle blowing can be found in the RCN publication: Blowing the whistle (PDF 108KB) [How to access PDF files].
Go to the NMC website.