Sir, The deregistration of Margaret Haywood by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (report, April 17 [2]) is a dismal example of adherence to rules taking precedence over a broader concern for professional standards. It is abundantly clear that Ms Haywood’s motivation was solely to correct failures at the Royal Sussex Hospital. Ms Haywood was evidently aware of the risks attached to breaking the rules of patient confidentiality, yet it is clear she saw it as a higher professional duty to patient wellbeing that the disgraceful abuse of elderly and dying patients should be exposed.

Patient confidentiality is a serious matter, but to remove Ms Haywood from the NMC Register for what amounts to a technical breach of the rules is, in the context of this case, a denial of reason and justice.

Peter Lindon

Lewes, E Sussex

Sir, Margaret Haywood is an experienced nurse of long standing. The kind of nurse that the NHS desperately needs. She should not have been struck off for exposing the failures of the Royal Sussex.

The feeling seems to be that the public should just accept the falling standards of the NHS, with draconian measures to keep mum about failure.

Jenny Mccoy

Coulsdon, Surrey