Pranked Nurse Found Dead

[VulchR]

I am appalled that some people posting here seem to be quite harsh on the nurse who apparently committed suicide. She wasn't the victim of a harmless prank. It was fraud, (actually it would have been treason in the UK) and the people who committed the fraud mocked their victims mercilessly and it went viral. Perhaps the hospital did not formally discipline the nurse, but I can imagine that she might have been bullied and perhaps even told she would be subject to a future disciplinary hearing. Even if one views the impact the 'prank' as minor, perhaps the person was already experiencing problems and this was the last straw. That just makes this suicide - if that is what it was - all the more senseless and unnecessary.

Some of the callous posts in this thread are contemptible.

[MacNut]

Originally Posted by VulchR

I am appalled that some people posting here seem to be quite harsh on the nurse who apparently committed suicide. She wasn't the victim of a harmless prank. It was fraud, (actually it would have been treason in the UK) and the people who committed the fraud mocked their victims mercilessly and it went viral. Perhaps the hospital did not formally discipline the nurse, but I can imagine that she might have been bullied and perhaps even told she would be subject to a future disciplinary hearing. Even if one views the impact the 'prank' as minor, perhaps the person was already experiencing problems and this was the last straw. That just makes this suicide - if that is what it was - all the more senseless and unnecessary.

Some of the callous posts in this thread are contemptible.

You do know the nurse didn't kill herself it was the receptionist.

[eric/]

Originally Posted by VulchR

I am appalled that some people posting here seem to be quite harsh on the nurse who apparently committed suicide. She wasn't the victim of a harmless prank. It was fraud, (actually it would have been treason in the UK) and the people who committed the fraud mocked their victims mercilessly and it went viral.

It was a harmless prank until the receptionist unfortunately kill herself. It wasn't even close to fraud because of the ridiculousness of the idea that you could call a hospital, pretend to be the QUEEN OF ENGLAND and have 0 verification and actually get through.

Originally Posted by VulchR

Perhaps the hospital did not formally discipline the nurse, but I can imagine that she might have been bullied and perhaps even told she would be subject to a future disciplinary hearing. Even if one views the impact the 'prank' as minor, perhaps the person was already experiencing problems and this was the last straw. That just makes this suicide - if that is what it was - all the more senseless and unnecessary.

Well, she failed in her duties. She rightly should have been disciplined. And if she was dealing with mental issues, that's unfortunate, but it's not as if the DJs targeted nurses with issues. They just called and pretended to be the Queen of England. If somebody calls you and gets one over you in that manner, sorry, you were had.

[VulchR]

Originally Posted by MacNut

You do know the nurse didn't kill herself it was the receptionist.

You do know it was a nurse who killed herself, not a receptionist. There was no receptionist on duty since the call came at very early in the morning UK time. However, the nurse who killed herself did take the call and forward it to a second nurse on the ward, who then divulged the information to the fraudulent callers. In any case, nurse or receptionist, this appears to be a needless tragedy brought on by 'entertainers' who could have declared themselves at before any patient's rights were violated (before the second nurse divulged details). The fact that they didn't shows their lack of judgment, character and compassion. And all in the name of profit. They might not have meant to cause this tragedy, but it appears they set a chain of events in motion that has resulted in a loss of a medical caregiver, wife and mother. Shame on them.

[zioxide]

Originally Posted by MacNut

You do know the nurse didn't kill herself it was the receptionist.

You do know you should actually verify your facts are true before you post in a manner that implies they are true.

Like VulchR said below me, it wasn't a receptionist, it was another nurse who was answering the phone at the reception desk because it was 5:30am and the normal day staff wasn't in for the day yet.

And yes, she wasn't the nurse who directly told the scumbag the confidential medical information, but she was the one who transferred the call and most likely told the other nurse who (she thought) was calling. She had as much fault in this as the other nurse did, and obviously something happened that caused her to think this was her only choice left. It's very sad.

Originally Posted by VulchR

You do know it was a nurse who killed herself, not a receptionist. There was no receptionist on duty since the call came at very early in the morning UK time. However, the nurse who killed herself did take the call and forward it to a second nurse on the ward, who then divulged the information to the fraudulent callers. In any case, nurse or receptionist, this appears to be a needless tragedy brought on by 'entertainers' who could have declared themselves at before any patient's rights were violated (before the second nurse divulged details). The fact that they didn't shows their lack of judgment, character and compassion. And all in the name of profit. They might not have meant to cause this tragedy, but it appears they set a chain of events in motion that has resulted in a loss of a medical caregiver, wife and mother. Shame on them.

This post is pretty spot on here.

Originally Posted by eric/

Not any worse than calling out the humor in the DJs being on suicide watch.

If you find one to be worse than the other, I think you've got some issues.

The point of the post is to highlight the hypocrisy, and vindictive nature of those who are upset about a prank gone wrong.

That is the best way to illustrate how one group thinks that these DJs somehow deserve anything more than losing their jobs and having to deal with the fact that this health care worker may have killed herself over embarrassment. Call for more blood is never the answer.

I actually agree with the part in bold. They deserve to lose their jobs because it was immature and extremely responsible. You never want to see somebody on suicide watch though, even after something like this.

That said, you easily prove your point in another way without saying "the funniest part is the nurse killed herself". That's disgusting.

[MacNut]

Originally Posted by zioxide

You do know you should actually verify your facts are true before you post in a manner that implies they are true.

The facts in this thread have shifted about 5 times already.

[zioxide]

Originally Posted by MacNut

The facts in this thread have shifted about 5 times already.

No, the facts haven't changed at all. A bunch of ill-informed people posting inaccurate facts doesn't mean the facts have changed, it just means that people don't know what they're talking about. That's why you should be getting your facts from an actual reputable source and not the random experts in the Macrumors PRSI.

[MacNut]

Originally Posted by zioxide

No, the facts haven't changed at all. A bunch of ill-informed people posting inaccurate facts doesn't mean the facts have changed, it just means that people don't know what they're talking about. That's why you should be getting your facts from an actual reputable source and not the random experts in the Macrumors PRSI.

I comment on what is posted here and if those facts are not true **** it. I don't care to hunt down 500 gossip sites to find the answers.

[iJohnHenry]

Originally Posted by MacNut

I take it you never liked Candid Camera?

Oh?

I guess I missed that part of the story where the two nurses involved signed releases before it was broadcast.

[eric/]

Originally Posted by zioxide

I actually agree with the part in bold. They deserve to lose their jobs because it was immature and extremely responsible. You never want to see somebody on suicide watch though, even after something like this.

That said, you easily prove your point in another way without saying "the funniest part is the nurse killed herself". That's disgusting.

Sometimes you really need to get people's attention to illustrate a point. I hope that my intentions are understood.

[MacNut]

Originally Posted by iJohnHenry

Oh?

I guess I missed that part of the story where the two nurses involved signed releases before it was broadcast.

Not sure what the release laws are but this is something that could be sued.

[iJohnHenry]

Originally Posted by MacNut

Not sure what the release laws are but this is something that could be sued.

Here, if someone calls you, you can record them with impunity.

If you call them, however, you have to ask them it you may record the conversation.

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Here in NY, radio pranks are 100 times more harsh than what those DJs did. It's actually hard for me to understand that it was a prank, that's how lame it was.

Feel sorry for those who feel they have to kill themselves, but no blame should be put on the DJs in this situation. That's like saying all pranks and/or jokes should be ban due to overly sensitive or depressed people.

[Sydde]

According to this story, prince Bill is in a bit of a snit over the prank, but his dad seemed to be more sanguine. When faced with reporters' questions about Miss Kate's pregnancy, he responded, "How do you know I'm not a radio station?"

[Arran]

Originally Posted by Sydde

...prince Bill is in a bit of a snit over the prank...

I think any husband would be, considering that his pregnant wife was admitted to hospital with complications and two juvenile airheads decide to waste the time of the hospital staff who are caring for his wife and unborn child.

Prank calls to a pizza takeaway or a Starbucks are one thing, but prank calling a hospital is like making a fake 911 call.

----------

Originally Posted by eric/

The funniest part is the idiot nurse/receptionist who fell for the trick then was so embarrassed that she killed herself.

Not cool.

[Happybunny]

Originally Posted by LIVEFRMNYC

Here in NY, radio pranks are 100 times more harsh than what those DJs did. It's actually hard for me to understand that it was a prank, that's how lame it was.

That is quite true, but there again you are from a country that thinks 'Here comes Honey Boo Boo' is entrainment.

[Eraserhead]

Originally Posted by LIVEFRMNYC

Here in NY, radio pranks are 100 times more harsh than what those DJs did.

Out of curiosity do you have an example?

[fox10078]

In an interview for Channel Nine's A Current Affair programme Mr Christian told presenter Tracy Grimshaw: "When we thought about making a call it was going to go for 30 seconds we were going to be hung up on, and that was it. As innocent as that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20662352

Sad state of affairs all around. I truly don't have sympathy for suicides, if it turns out as suicide.


I have been in the spot, literally one step from killing myself, I didn't, because of all the people I would hurt.

I weep for the victims of this woman's selfishness, if it turns out as suicide.

I'm surprised no one has brought up how selfish suicide is... especially if you are a mother, I hope her death isn't to be found after the autopsy as a suicide, nothing at all as a parent should want you to be away from your children.

[avro707]

Originally Posted by LIVEFRMNYC

Here in NY, radio pranks are 100 times more harsh than what those DJs did. It's actually hard for me to understand that it was a prank, that's how lame it was.

Feel sorry for those who feel they have to kill themselves, but no blame should be put on the DJs in this situation. That's like saying all pranks and/or jokes should be ban due to overly sensitive or depressed people.

This radio station has prior form in this matter. I don't wish to elaborate on the sordid actions of their morning program, but it's well known.

It's time for them to stop with these prank calls and other nonsense gags. I think we've had more than enough of it for now.

Sadly, someone died as a result of this and also on face value, these two radio hosts (unless the tears are an act) will be forever scarred by it.

A good old investigation to lift the lid on who did what and why would clear this up well. If the talk is true, then the radio station knew that this was quite dodgy to start with because it was reportedly checked with legal people before anything went to air. That says it all really.

[Eraserhead]

Originally Posted by avro707

If the talk is true, then the radio station knew that this was quite dodgy to start with because it was reportedly checked with legal people before anything went to air.

But it was also cleared by those legal people.

[avro707]

Originally Posted by Eraserhead

But it was also cleared by those legal people.

If it was so harmless, then the legal eagles wouldn't have needed to check it.

The point is, the radio station has prior form on these matters. It's time for the radio station to face the music. The station is a shell of its former self and it's time for it to clean up its act. I used to listen to that station years ago when it had decent presenters who were funny and relevant.

[VulchR]

Originally Posted by fox10078

....
I weep for the victims of this woman's selfishness, if it turns out as suicide.
I'm surprised no one has brought up how selfish suicide is... especially if you are a mother, I hope her death isn't to be found after the autopsy as a suicide, nothing at all as a parent should want you to be away from your children.

People commit suicide because they feel inescapable but unbearable pain. A natural response to pain is to try to avoid it. I would like to think we all feel acutely how much this is going to affect the nurse's family and friends, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't also feel for what the nurse endured before she died. In any case, like you I hope this wasn't suicide, but I am also concerned that the stress of all this could have caused Ms. Saldanha to have a fatal heart attack or stroke.

I suppose all of this has left me wondering if they are people I pass in the street who are also teetering on the edge, particularly the way the economy is now. I used to volunteer on a crisis hotline - perhaps it's time to go back to that.

@MacNut: I get what you mean about the confusion about what was posted here, so I apologize if I sounded snippy. It's just in the UK this is a big story in part because somebody involved in a caring profession appears to have been driven to suicide. It shouldn't matter – a human being is a human being – but the fact it was a professional dedicated to serving others seems to make this all the more poignant.

[m00min]

It's a sad situation all round, I don't think you can lay 100% of the blame at the DJs. The second nurse shouldn't have talked on the phone, the station's legal dept. shouldn't have let it air, and yes, the DJs should maybe have considered the possible fallout from socially engineering medical information. They all played their part.

Yes, the DJs did a stupid thing but hands up who never did a stupid thing? Most of the time your momentary stupidity goes by without any lasting consequences. It's not like they set out to bully someone into taking their own life.

[decafjava]

Am I the only one thinking it strange to think the Queen would have to call the hospital and get put through to Kate's room? You don't think William and Kate have there own cell phones with secret numbers? You don't think the Royal family would know the direct number to the room and nurse tending Kate or made other arrangements?

[m00min]

Originally Posted by decafjava

Am I the only one thinking it strange to think the Queen would have to call the hospital and get put through to Kate's room? You don't think William and Kate have there own cell phones with secret numbers? You don't think the Royal family would know the direct number to the room and nurse tending Kate or made other arrangements?

Nope, I would think they have some system very much like that. Possibly this wasn't information given to the nursing staff, it wouldn't be the first time key info was not included in a staff handover. The imagine the hospital is urgently looking at their data protection process right now.