Panorama's week that was - April 13 - April 19
say they've been receiving lots of calls from the public in light of their decision to strike off Margaret Haywood, a nurse with over 20 years experience, for her part in filming for .
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We've had a big response too. After of the ruling broke many people and over 1500 people joined in the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s on the impact the ruling may have on whistleblowers, several Facebook groups have been set up calling for Margaret to be reinstated, the largest with, there are and not surprisingly it's got the blogosphere talking too.
is just one blogger who has expressed indignation at the NMC's decision and backed to the NMC panel that Margaret Haywood had acted in the public interest.
agrees, pointing out the wider issue that whistleblowers may now feel less able to come forward.
took the debate further agreeing that the Margaret Haywood case has shown whistleblowing is a risky business. He thinks it may explain why NHS employees are unwilling to speak out about poor standards. He argues social care has stepped in to do the job the NHS should be doing, depriving people of the medical care they need.
Last week's Panorama probed into the world of private social care of the elderly going undercover in several domiciliary care companies for Britain's Homecare Scandal .
From the hundreds of emails we received, it's clear this is a hot subject and one that effects a large number of people. It's certainly something Panorama will be keeping an eye on.
If you, or someone you know, is affected by the issues raised in the programme the Panorama website has you can contact in confidence.
Comment number 1.
At 21st Apr 2009, pithywriter wrote:Please please Panorama help to keep the nurse from going under.. I fear that such a shock - being struck off - could cause her to have post traumatic distress or a nervous breakdown. Something similar happened to a friend who became suicidal - although she told no one that at the time. It was shock that brought it on.
On the terrible state of our NHS and elderly care etc.... and re your 'may contain nuts' story re health and safety.... Hasn't it occurred to your production team and editor that where one would expect Health and safety laws to be applied rigorously , i.e in a hospital and care home, (re your story AND hospital infections which still CONTINUE) they seem not to apply! How can this gross anomaly have come about? Is all THIS happening in other EU countries? Please return to the subject soon.
Sandi Dunn
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Comment number 2.
At 27th Apr 2009, arkyoung wrote:The case of Margaret Haywood is heart-rending. That a professional ruling council can strike her off for her public service reveals something deeply nasty about our society and gives this country a bad name. When a professional council should be using its authority to address the fundamental issues thrown up by this case, it has instead reverted to ticking the boxes.
I also blame the government for micromanageing the Health Service. If instead it were to set out the principles rather than the rules, and leave the rules to the professionals, managers would be obliged to stop ticking boxes as employees and instead to manage as managers.
That kind of mentality clearly holds sway also in the nursing council which struck Margaret off.
Shame on them.
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Comment number 3.
At 27th Apr 2009, curly_karen wrote:I have spent a long time in Hospitals looking after my Mother and Father’s welfare, to the point were recently I was asked what part of the medical profession I was in as I knew so much about Hospitals!!
I lost my Mum in 2003 she was 80 and had spent a long time in hospital, as one of the families in the film tonight we had a 24 hour vigil at her bed side for many months, we were unable to leave her, she was unable to feed herself, care for herself, if we were not there she would not have been given medication/water/food or been cleaned.
My Father is now 87 and since Mum died his health has failed. I thought that Mum's hospital experiences were not the normal but my Dad’s hospital experiences have been very similar. I have had to be very aware of elderly vulnerable people’s rights; I have had to fight tooth and nail for my father to have care plans, have a care package put in place at home and now for him to have suitable care in a nursing home and his many hospital visits. I pity anyone who does not have family as they must really struggle as the system does not work unless you stand up for your rights.
My Father is a world war two veteran, who was a prisoner of war and a policeman for 30 years. Few people in the NHS have given him the respect deserves and few people in the NHS have given our family advice and guidance.
There must be a better way for our elderly people to be cared for, them wishing for death to take them is not the way for a civilised society to care for their elderly.
I can only applaud Margaret Haywood's actions and wish more people cared enough to do something. Our parents fought for the right to speak out against injustice, the right to say enough is enough and the fact that Margaret’s livelihood has been taken away while doing this is just not acceptable?
Please don't let this issue fade Panorama, for one day we will all be in this same situation and we need to say enough is enough………..
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