Debt adviser sacked for saving suicidal woman

A debt adviser who saved the life of a suicidal woman was sacked for calling a GP for help, a tribunal heard.

Terri King, 58, was accused by her boss of breaching client confidentiality by phoning the woman's doctor.

The distraught client had phoned Mrs King, saying she had taken a large overdose of pills to end her life because she could not cope with her overwhelming level of debt.

Mrs King immediately alerted her client's GP, who was able to act in time to save her life.

But when her boss learnt of her actions, she was told she had made an "irrational and emotional error".

Peter Wales, the manager of the service, claimed Mrs King - who had previously held an "outstanding" record during her five years at the bureau - should have alerted him to the suicidal caller instead of calling the GP.

Mr Wales said he would have consulted a management committee for advice on how to handle the situation before acting - even though this would have wasted valuable time that could have cost the caller her life.