Trust sacks nurse for speaking out

A COMMUNITY psychiatric nurse has been dismissed by Manchester Health and Social Care Trust after speaking out about her employer in the press.

A COMMUNITY psychiatric nurse has been dismissed by Manchester Health and Social Care Trust after speaking out about her employer in the press.

Karen Reissmann, also the trust's Unison branch secretary, was found guilty of gross professional misconduct in an internal disciplinary hearing.

Ms Reissmann told NT she plans to appeal. 'If staff feel they can't speak out or raise concerns because they may be risking their jobs, I think that's of serious concern to patient care.'

A trust statement said it could not discuss details of the matter due to employee confidentiality.

Ms Reissmann was suspended on 29 August for allegedly bringing the trust into disrepute (NT News, 26 June, p2).

Around 160 Unison members are on continuous strike action in protest against the sacking.