A whistleblower NHS nurse has been awarded £462,000 after being fired for warning that increased workload had contributed to a patient’s death.
Linda Fairhall, 62, flagged her concerns at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS trust in 2016, but was given the boot by her employers. A tribunal, though, has upheld her unfair dismissal claim, but the Trust has appealed, according to a report in the Mirror.
Linda had an unblemished 40-year career when she was sacked. A judge blasted health chiefs and set what is believed to be a record award for lost salary and remedies. Today Linda, of Billingham, Teesside, said she felt “vindicated”, adding: “I want other nurses to know you can speak out. The law does protect you.” At the appeal, Judge James Tayler said the original tribunal had “reached an unimpeachable decision”.
A spokesperson said the Trust has “continued to learn lessons and implement processes that impact positive change”.
One interested onlooker on Twitter felt the sum was not nearly enough, writing: “It is nowhere near enough for the courage this dedicated woman showed and the trauma she suffered at their hands. The people responsible for this debacle should be sacked and she should be awarded a gong and further money.”
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