'Undercover nurse' Margaret Haywood struck off for secret filming

Whistleblowing nurse Margaret Haywood who secretly filmed elderly patients for BBC Panorama documentary, Undercover Nurse, has been struck off the register with immediate effect.

Margaret Haywood, 58, carried out filming for a BBC Panorama programme exposing neglect of elderly patients at the Royal Sussex Hospital, which screened in July 2005.

Ms Haywood, of Liverpool, was found guilty of misconduct at a hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in central London, despite arguing that she ‘was convinced that it was the right thing to do’.

She added that she had reported the issues raised in the programme, but nothing had been done.

However, the council ruled that given the seriousness of her misconduct, ‘it would not be in the public interest for her to be able to practise as a nurse’.

Speaking after the hearing, Ms Haywood, of Liverpool, said: ‘There was no other way of getting the full picture. I am absolutely devastated and upset by it all. I think I have been treated very harshly.’

Linda Read, chair of the panel, said: ‘Although the conditions on the ward were dreadful, it was not necessary to breach confidentiality to seek to improve them by the method chosen.’

A Royal College of Nursing spokesman said: ‘Those in charge must put robust systems in place which allow staff to voice their concerns and they need to know that they will be supported when raising genuine concerns.’

Ms Haywood was too upset to comment on the ruling.

Related Files

Related Jobs

Sign in to see the latest jobs relevant to you!

  • Find hundreds of band 5 nursing jobs on the new Nursing Jobs Express website. All new registrants to the site will be entered into a weekly prize draw to win music, nursing equipment and more
Click here to look for band 5 jobs

Newsletter Sign-up

More Newsletters

Editorial Image

Online learning for nurses

Nursing Times Learning - a new way for you to update your knowledge and skills. Online units include: appraisal, ABG interpretation, cervical screening, childhood immunisation and more.