A NURSE sacked after being injured carrying a heavy bag at work has been awarded £70,000 compensation.
Diane Whitten (pictured) 48, was sacked by Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust in 2002.
She was dismissed after she suffered neck and back injuries when a bag strap broke, leaving her unable to do her job.
Three years ago an employment tribunal found that that CICHS, which was replaced by Camden Primary Care Trust in 2002, contravened the Disability Discrimination Act.
Ms Whitten was finally awarded the money on Friday.
The original tribunal found the trust should have made more effort to help Ms Whitten work.
Ms Whitten, a nurse for 23 years, said her career had been ruined by the injury.
She said: “Apart from the pain, it has caused a lot of stress. I am estranged from my partner and my income is far less than it was. The NHS should help work-injured nurses with their medical problems and help them to stay in work.”
Ms Whitten, who now works as a health-screening nurse outside the NHS, was dismissed from her job as a district nurse on health grounds.
The tribunal criticised the trust, as a large employer with considerable resources, for not making a significant effort to offer Ms Whitten training to be re-deployed.
Royal College of Nursing solicitor Patrick Blundy, who brought the case on Ms Whitten’s behalf, said the settlement was a warning that there was a price to pay for ignoring obligations to injured nurses under the Disability Discrimination Act. He said: “The answer is not to pay that price, but to ensure that all is done to make the necessary reasonable adjustments to keep injured nurses in their workforce.”
A Trust spokesman said they did not comment on individual cases.