Hailsham Chambers in media spotlight
21st April 2009
Karen Johnson, a barrister at Hailsham Chambers specialising in regulatory law, is caught up in the media frenzy concerning the removal of Margaret Haywood from the Nursing and Midwifery Council's register.
Karen Johnson, instructed by the RCN Legal Services team, represented Margaret Haywood before a Conduct and Competence Committee of the Nursing & Midwifery Council at a hearing that started in November last year and was concluded on Thursday 16 April. RCN member, Margaret was struck off for taking part in the BBC Panorama programme "Undercover Nurse" shown in 2004 which highlighted instances of poor patient care. The decision of the panel to strike Margaret off the register for breaching patient confidentiality by filming vulnerable elderly patients prior to obtaining their consent has resulted in widespread condemnation from fellow health professionals and from the general public. Karen is now considering the next step with Margaret and the RCN legal team.
This case has far-reaching implications for healthcare professionals generally concerned with raising awareness about poor standards of care. We expect further developments in this case.
PLEASE NOTE The information and any commentary on the law contained on this web site is provided free of charge for information purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to make the information and commentary accurate and up to date, but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by any member of Chambers. The information and commentary does not, and is not intended to, amount to legal advice to any person on a specific case or matter. You are strongly advised to obtain specific, personal advice from a lawyer about your case or matter and not to rely on the information or comments on this site. By accessing any of these articles you accept that you have no right or recourse against the providers of information on this web site.