A HEALTHCARE assistant at Southend Hospital awaits the outcome of a tribunal after giving an emotional statement of her experiences of alleged bullying.

Gillian Austin, 58, is attempting to sue the hospital for £185,000 in damages, claiming she was subjectedto six months of victimisation.

Representing herself, Mrs Austin, from Hockley, told East London Employment Tribunal Service: “I am an NHS whistleblower and did so honestly and openly, following the advice of my hospital-based Unison representative.

“It was done in good faith with the best intentions and in the public interest. Patient safety was, and still is, my top priority. It is fact I suffered repercussions following it. That contravened the whistleblowing policy. These initial repercussions lasted almost six months and there is nothing fanciful in the fact they have continued for several years.”