Darlington nurse case flying under the radar

[hardstareglare]

Aibu to think that the Darlington nurse case in court right now has not had much press and that it is a very important case.

Fucking prick.

On the numbers - although 26 signed the letter of complaint (half the department) there were meetings with management where 50 odd turned up to express their concerns. They then faced a rearguard attack intended to get them to not complain/withdraw their complaints.
This included a number of nurses on international visas from countries like India that didn't dare complain because they were concerned that they could lose their jobs, which would mean losing their right to stay in the UK and risk of deportation.
The nurses who did sign the letter were then handed letters on shift which threatened them with disciplinary consequences by the deputy head of nursing who was 4 grades senior to them - great use of time getting someone that senior to help the post room out.
A number were called into meetings and felt "blindsided" and were only asked about why and how they complained not about why they needed to make the complaint in the first place.
Those that did not withdraw were told the review would be paused until after the tribunal and that if they wanted to apply for a new job elsewhere they would have to disclose that there was an investigation into them.
HR described their complaints as "noise in the system" and said that their balancing act was between 1 male who might complain he was being discriminated against vs numerous nurses who might "feel uncomfortable" being required to strip to their underwear in front of a man whom many had said was harassing them in the changing room.

You wonder why anyone chooses to be a nurse....

The BBC LOVE drag queens but not women's rights (except in so far as they serve men). I'm not really surprised this is not reported more.

On a similar note the BBC have upheld complaints against Martine Croxall for being 'impartial' when she pulled a face on air and refused to describe pregnant women as pregnant people despite what the autocue said.

And all the managers from the Trust, including the Head of Human Resources Andrew Thacker, sat in the courtroom and listened to the nurses give evidence one by one detailing how uncomfortable and anxious they had been, then one by one they (the managers) pretty much admitted that they had passed the case upwards, downwards and sideways between them to avoid taking any action. No-one would admit responsibility for making a decision (the only correct decision would have been to remove Rose to another changing room). It was always someone else's responsibility. Some of these managers are paid in excess of £100,000 per year. They all earn far in excess of any of the nurses.

Edited for typo

I already knew about this, but am sickened just reading it again.

It's absolutely disgusting.

@lifeturnsonadime

The BBC LOVE drag queens but not women's rights

That should be headline news. How do I make that huge text?

big salaries and no protection for women

unbelievable

to do biggly writing put hashtag then leave a space.
FWR is excellent for learning things

The BBC LOVE drag queens but not women's rights

One of the most shocking things is how few people know about this. I have been following these tribunal proceedings avidly and anyone I mention them to is completely shocked about it. Why is the mainstream media not reporting on this? Why is the safety and privacy of 300 women less important than one man's fetish? It is makes it so blatant than so many people think women don't count.

This makes me fucking vomit.

Yet lots of women and men on mumsnet campaigned for years for any posts on this topic to be kept off the main boards and limited to one board so that fewer women would read them. Presumably women like those managers.

I'm shocked about how many people don't know about this.
#TeamNurses

There should be extra safeguards in place for foreign workers to be able to complain/whistleblow. Especially given a lot of countries that we pull nurses in from are more socially & religiously conservative.

I can’t imagine the pressure to withdraw your complaint under ‘normal’ circumstances - when you’re thinking about rent/mortgage, bills & being able to apply for another job without having to disclose being under investigation.

Throw in work visa & being under investigation - there are some countries you’d never be eligible to work in again.

team nurses

Women who know are scared / not believed

Women wo do not yet know cannot believe its happening

the end

Not only that but the theatre manager who was very much "Rose is a woman" conceded on the stand that the international nurses don't like getting changed in the communal space in the changing room. But she rather absurdly tried to claim this was because they didn't want to change in front of anyone, even women. Nothing to do with the hulking bloke in holey boxer shorts staring at women and asking nurses if they were getting changed and asking one nurse about pregnancy breasts. No, nothing to do with that at all.

My eyes rolled so hard!

The vote is pretty conclusive

92% IANBU

I don't get this bit though because, as far as we know, men weren't being forced to change in front of women, ie, there were no women using the men's changing rooms. So why is it a comparitor?

Going back now to carry on reading.

He was purely trying to get out of admitting that they discriminated against the women by making them change with a man so was just spouting whatever shite entered his head as he'd obviously never given any actual thought to the issue whatsoever.

The Trust's position seems to have been that their policy didn't discriminate against women because it also allowed trans identified women to change in the men's changing room if they wanted to. So neither men nor women were guaranteed single sex changing and so were equally treated by the trust. The nurses, with the help of Jo Phoenix, pointed out what we all know - it's not the same fucking thing at all.

I believe the important part of this is that a claim on the basis of sex discrimination can attract an unlimited award from an employment tribunal. A claim that the employer has simply failed to provide statutory changing facilities - not so much.

I have no words

Not one of the senior nurses, or HR team with all their “difficult conversations” training managed to discuss the situation with Rose. Selling the nurses out because they are all Arse Covering Responsibility Shirking Cowards.

The RCN were an absolute shower too.

I'd think it would be uncomfortable for any patient to have gynae procedures carried out by any of their colleagues. Perhaps they should routinely by carried out at another hospital, unless the patient chooses otherwise

Carrying out surgery at another hospital could involve much longer waits and a change of surgeon which the staff member might not want. Fair enough if that's what they wish.

What normally happens where I've worked is that an all female team is provided for female theatre staff, whatever kind of surgery is being undertaken. As it should be.