Leigh Day & Co continues to progress the application of a group of nurses and care workers to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The applicants’ names have now been accepted by the ECtHR.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has instructed Frances Swaine, a partner in the human rights department, on behalf of most of the applicants in this case. Some applicants who are not RCN members contacted Leigh Day independently.

Leigh Day is now representing over 50 individuals who were listed on the provisional Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) list and who have suffered as a result. They have been effectively suspended without pay and  without any indication of when a hearing will take place or any investigation finalised, and are unable to work in their chosen profession. This has resulted in considerable personal and financial hardship for all of them.

We are following the ongoing case of Wright and Others v Secretary of State for Health closely. A recent High Court ruling found that the legislation governing POVA listings infringed the human rights of care workers under Articles 6 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Secretary of State’s appeal against this  ruling is currently being heard.

For more information please contact Frances Swaine on 020 7650 1200.