‘Queen’s University shattered my dream of becoming a nurse’ - Former student settles cancer discrimination case for £25,000

A former student nurse who was diagnosed with cancer has settled a disability discrimination case against Queen’s University Belfast for £25,000.

Natasha Bradshaw was diagnosed in 2019, starting her adult nursing degree the following year.

In her second-year, her ill-health caused her to withdraw from a hospital placement after two days, as the work she was required to do was “unsuitable” due to her disability and against recommendations made by the university’s occupational health team.

It took three weeks to find another placement, but she said this would have created too much pressure with back-to-back placements while also preparing for exams.

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Told the schedule could not be changed, she ultimately left her course after losing confidence the school could protect her health.

“I’m really upset about my experience. I worked so hard and sacrificed so much in order to fulfil my dream of becoming a nurse,” she said.

“My cancer diagnosis has been tough, I did not want it to impact on my career. It should not have impacted my studies as much as it did at the time. I felt that I was expected to be treated the same as students who aren’t disabled. I believed it would have been impossible for me to complete my course in this way given my disability.

“I just needed a little understanding and support regarding my health and the life altering situation I was in. I felt I didn’t get any of that, leaving me without a course or degree and shattering my dream of becoming a nurse.”

She was supported in her case by the Equality Commission, with the Chief Commissioner Geraldine McGahey stating the law required education providers to implement “reasonable adjustments” for disabled students where possible.

“Unfortunately, in Natasha’s case, she believed she did not receive the support she needed due to her disability and as a result she felt unable to finish her degree and qualify as a nurse.”

A Queen’s spokesperson acknowledged it had been a “distressing experience” for Ms Bradshaw, but the case had been resolved without admission of liability “to assist in alleviating any stress or anxiety” she would experience during formal proceedings.

They added that work was also taking place with the Equality Commission to ensure the university’s equal opportunities policies were effective.