School nurse sacking upheld

The panel rejected Bunny Pinnington's appeal for unfair dismissal

A 'whistle-blowing' nurse who claimed she had been unfairly dismissed after alleging there was a policy not to resuscitate a seriously ill child has lost her case.

An employment tribunal has upheld the dismissal of Bernice 'Bunny' Pinnington who lost her job at Swansea's Ysgol Crug Glas special school.

Swansea Local Education Authority and the school governors successfully argued that Mrs Pinnington lost her job because she was absent through ill health.

Mrs Pinnington, from Gowerton, has received a 58 page document from the tribunal setting out why the panel had rejected her claim of unfair dismissal.

Ysgol Crug Glas continues to flourish and provide an excellent environment for children

Education cabinet member John Miles

She is seeking further legal advice.

But Swansea Council's cabinet member for education, John Miles, said he hoped the tribunal's decision drew a line under the matter.

Mrs Pinnington claimed she was dismissed from the special school after warning the grandparents of the terminally-ill pupil about the alleged policy.

She claimed she was sacked in 1999 after stumbling across instructions telling staff not to resuscitate five-year-old Anna Marie Davies, who is still alive.

The council maintained that no such policy existed.

Councillor Miles said: "We have full confidence in the school and the local authority and the way the case was handled.

'Unnecessary anxiety'

"The decision of the tribunal clearly supports this.

"The issues stemmed initially from a dispute between nurse and the previous head teacher both of whom have now left the school.

"We are pleased that this tribunal has ruled so clearly as the case has been causing unnecessary anxiety for governors, parents, staff and pupils at the school.

"Ysgol Crug Glas continues to flourish and provide an excellent environment for children.

"The employment tribunal's dismissal of case should draw a line under this matter so that all parties can move on."

Ysgol Crug Glas was recently praised in a report by the Health and Safety Executive.

Inspectors said the school's health and safety policy was an "example of good practice", and there was "an excellent level of health and safety competency among the staff".

It also highlighted "excellent arrangements for the communication of health and safety information within the school".

Phil Pinnington, the nurse's husband, said the tribunal decision was a "personal blow" for her.

"We are very unhappy with the result and are examining the reasons in detail.

"We will seek further advice on the question on an appeal."