Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has apologised to Kelly Ruddock following the conclusion of an employment tribunal. 

It was ruled that Ms Ruddock, who worked at Wedgwood House in Bury St Edmunds as a medical secretary between July 2017 and September 2021, “was the victim of unlawful discrimination”. 

She quit her role after an administrative review, in which the trust failed to failed to “follow its redeployment policy”.

Ms Ruddock suffered from several health conditions such as fibromyalgia and central sensitisation, the latter of which was caused following a motor vehicle crash.

The tribunal heard that the injuries suffered in the crash meant Ms Ruddock had “ongoing back problems” and that she can suffer back spasms that leave her unable to move for up to 30 minutes.

Due to this, she avoided entering wards at the mental health treatment facility based at West Suffolk Hospital – although separately run from the hospital trust – where she could. 

During the administrative review, Ms Ruddock was told her role would become “predominantly ward-based” as a senior ward administrator. 

This was despite an occupational health report outlining that the defendant feared working in a ward would exacerbate her symptoms. 

Jeremy Over, chief people officer at NSFT, said: “Since these incidents took place, our Trust has made significant improvements to support the provision of safer, kinder, and better services for the people who rely on our care, while also making changes to benefit our staff and enhance our culture.”

Ms Ruddock interviewed for a different role, although she was unsuccessful despite meeting many aspects of the job criteria.

However, the trust’s redeployment policy states staff seeking alternative jobs, through redundancy or ill-health, should “be given prior consideration for any vacancies”.

The tribunal found the trust did not follow its redeployment policy, concluding Ms Ruddock should have been awarded the role. 

Mr Over added that there is “work still to do”, but it is “committed to inclusion and to creating a culture which values diversity”.