RCN member considering legal options after being struck off

Published: 17 April 2009

RCN member, Margaret Haywood, who has been removed from the Nursing and Midwifery register for failing to "follow her obligations as a nurse" after she filmed at a hospital for a BBC Panorama programme in 2005, is considering her legal options in light of the NMC decision.

RCN Director of Legal Services, Chris Cox said:

"The Royal College of Nursing has been providing legal representation for Margaret Haywood from the outset and is very surprised at the severity of the punishment dealt out by the NMC panel. Our legal team are working with Margaret to explore the various legal options available to her in light of yesterday's judgment."

On the subject of whistleblowing, the RCN has said:

"It is absolutely vital that health care staff at all levels feel they can raise concerns about poor patient care with their managers. Those in charge must put robust systems in place which allow staff to voice their concerns. Just as important is the need for trusts to ensure that every member of staff is fully aware of such systems and know that they will be supported when raising genuine concerns.

"However, it is clear that there are parts of the health service which do not have such systems or working environments in place. This can put staff in an extremely difficult position and when staff concerns are discouraged or ignored, it can often lead to poor patient care getting worse."

More information on whistle blowing can be found in the RCN publication: Blowing the whistle (PDF 108KB) [How to access PDF files].