Nurse struck off for secret filming

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Margaret Haywood broke down in tears as she was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council panel and said she was "absolutely devastated" by the decision.

She insisted that recording the appalling conditions at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton for the BBC's Panorama programme in July 2005 was the right thing to do.

But the NMC panel told the 58-year-old, who has worked as a nurse for more than 20 years, that her misconduct was a "major breach" of the profession's code and "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.

"It is a serious issue and I knew it was a risk I was taking but I thought the filming was justified and it was in the public interest.

"I did voice my concerns through my immediate line manager and I also went to my ward manager but nothing was really taken on board."

Ms Haywood, who was found guilty of misconduct, said she had "owed it to the people on the ward" to expose the neglect.

Referring to last month's Healthcare Commission report which ound "appalling conditions" at Stafford Hospital, Ms Haywood called for a review of the system for NHS whistleblowers.

"Nurses are afraid to speak out about what is happening and the whole process needs to be reviewed so nurses can make it easier to voice their concerns," she said.