A NHS nurse who was fired after she warned that increased workload contributed to a patient’s death has won a £462,000 payout.
Linda Fairhall, 62, had an unblemished 40-year nursing career when she blew the whistle at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust in 2016 and was fired from her job.
Mum of two Linda, of Billingham, said she felt “vindicated” after winning what is believed to be a record award for lost salary and remedies. “I want other nurses to know you can speak out. The law does protect you,” she said.
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A tribunal had originally upheld Linda's unfair dismissal claim but the trust appealed. At the appeal, Judge James Tayler blasted health chiefs and said the original tribunal had “reached an unimpeachable decision”.
A spokesperson for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust said the Trust has “continued to learn lessons and implement processes that impact positive change”.
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