A HEALTH minister has said the Liverpool nurse who exposed poor standards on a hospital ward should never have been struck off.
Margaret Haywood, 58, from Everton, was removed from the nursing register last month after being found guilty of misconduct by the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Fitness to Practise Panel.
She had secretly filmed the neglect of elderly patients at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton for the BBC’s Panorama.
But Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said last night that he agreed with the growing tide of complaints that her treatment had been “unduly harsh”.
Speaking at a Westminster Hall adjournment debate on whistleblowing, Mr Bradshaw said: “The Royal College of Nursing has said it will support her in any appeal . . . I have to say I agree with the RCN's position on this case.”
Ms Haywood’s lawyer Dr Kate Johnson said last night her client will not comment.
