A loyal NHS nurse fired after warning that increased workload contributed to a patient’s death has won a £462,000 payout.
Mum of two Linda Fairhall, 62, had an unblemished 40-year career when she blew the whistle at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS trust.
A tribunal upheld her unfair dismissal claim but the Trust appealed.
But a judge blasted health chiefs and set what is believed to be a record award for lost salary and remedies.
We told in 2020 how Linda, who had had cancer and lost her partner, raised concerns on patient safety in 2016.
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Today Linda, of Billingham, Teesside, said she felt “vindicated”, adding: “I want other nurses to know you can speak out. The law does protect you.”
At the appeal, Judge James Tayler said the original tribunal had “reached an unimpeachable decision”.
A spokesperson said the Trust has “continued to learn lessons and implement processes that impact positive change”.