Man with phobia of blood sues NHS for £140,000

A hospital worker who was sacked over his fear of blood and needles is suing the NHS for £140,000.

Andrew Brangwyn, who worked as an occupational therapist, said he couldn't face "handling patients" and was too scared to step onto the ward at Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital.

Mr Brangwyn's job was to teach carpentry skills to patients, but he always feared they might need their dressings changed whilst he was with them.

Mr Brangwyn, from Coventry, was so stricken by anxiety he had to go on long-term sick leave in 2012 and was eventually dismissed.

He says that, despite complaining for years, NHS bosses never did enough to help him cope with his disability.

He took South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust to an Employment Tribunal, complaining of disability discrimination, but his claim was rejected.

However the 65-year-old has now been granted permission to fight on in the Court of Appeal.

Mr Brangwyn’s barrister, Sarah Keogh, said his “severe phobia of blood and needles” only came to light when bosses told him he had to attend ward meetings.

Promises were made that he wouldn't have to do anything that might bring on his phobia, but they were "never entirely echoed" in his job description, she added.

No date has been set for the next hearing of Mr Brangwyn's damages claim.