Receptionist Who Put the Radio Prank Call Through to Kate Middleton’s Room Found Dead, Apparent Suicide

No one thinks a prank will be deadly in the beginning.  Even after news broke about the prank, I thought it was pretty funny.  But I’m in America and I’m not in England.  I guess I didn’t know how serious the people over there take a situation such as this.  Unfortunately, the seriousness has turned deadly.

According to law enforcement, the receptionist that patched the prank phone call to Kate Middleton’s room has apparently ended her own life.  Jacintha Saldanha was found at a location close to King Edward VII Hospital where she works and where Kate was staying.  Paramedics were sent to the scene but they were unsuccessful in attempts to revive her.

According to the hospital, Saldanha was a “first-class nurse” and “a well-respected and popular member of the staff”.  They were supporting her through this hard time.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a statement regarding Saldanha.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha. Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.

The woman was the victim of a prank call from an Australian radio station.  They called and posed as Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth.  According to the deejay’s, they never thought they would actually get through to the room.  No statement has been released from them regarding the recent news of the demise of the receptionist.

According to people in the nursing field, under no circumstance is a nurse, or anyone else for that matter, to divulge patient information over the phone.  In the most extreme case, the family and medical staff will have a sort of password to ensure the identity of the family members.  That, of course, is here in the States.  I can’t say for sure what the rules and regulations are in England, but I am sure that the receptionist was not the only person to blame.

[via]

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