Social media has become a platform for frontline workers to share their experiences, but it can come with professional consequences.
Lara Basini-Millar, a midwife who appeared on the hit TV series One Born Every Minute, discovered this the hard way after posting TikTok videos highlighting shortcomings in NHS maternity care.
Her social media presence quickly grew, attracting thousands of followers as she spoke out about what she described as worrying practices within the maternity services where she had worked for more than two decades.
Lara, 45, had been a senior midwife at Southmead Hospital in Bristol for 21 years and had previously been featured on the television show between 2013 and 2014.
Social Media Sparks Controversy
According to Lara, her posts drew criticism from hospital management and colleagues.
She claimed she was told she was “too sexual” in her videos and accused of “impersonating” a midwife while representing the NHS online.
Additionally, she alleged that a group of fellow midwives formed a WhatsApp chat to openly criticize her content, creating what she described as a “witch hunt.”
Feeling increasingly targeted, Lara launched a legal case against the North Bristol NHS Trust earlier this year for unfair constructive dismissal.
She alleged that she had been bullied, harassed, and singled out because of her social media activity and her “gregarious personality.”
The Tribunal’s Verdict
The case was heard in Bristol, with Employment Judge Corinna Ferguson ultimately dismissing Lara’s claims.
The judge concluded that the NHS Trust had not breached the “mutual trust and confidence” expected in an employment relationship.
One key point cited was that Lara continued to work casually for the Trust for a month after resigning in February 2023.
The judge interpreted this as evidence that her confidence and trust in her employer had not been seriously damaged before her resignation.
Additionally, Lara was unable to identify any specific individuals she believed were bullying her, though the judge recognized that she felt “genuinely aggrieved” about complaints made regarding her conduct.
Workplace Tensions
Evidence presented during the tribunal highlighted tensions within the maternity unit.
In February 2021, colleague Bonny Hetherington reported that multiple staff had raised concerns about Lara’s behavior, including incidents where she argued with midwives in front of patients, was often on her phone, or spoke loudly about her personal life while on duty.
Other colleagues said the work environment felt “unsafe and chaotic” under her supervision, and some junior midwives reportedly tried to swap shifts to avoid working with her.
Lara herself admitted that her “huge” personality could be intimidating and expressed a desire to continue prioritizing patients while supporting her fellow midwives.
Career Decisions and Resignation
In September 2022, Lara launched her TikTok account, and a month later she accepted a sales role at a medical company.
She requested a sabbatical from the NHS, which was denied due to her new employment.
Lara stated that her resignation was driven by her experiences of being “bullied, harassed, targeted, and treated differently” compared to her peers.
Despite her passion for midwifery, the tribunal acknowledged that Lara eventually moved to London to continue her career elsewhere, feeling unfairly criticized while in Bristol.
The Bigger Picture
Judge Ferguson concluded that, even if some claims of jealousy or disapproval of Lara’s social media activity were true, these did not alter the fact that her managers were responding to consistent complaints from staff.
The tribunal emphasized that management had a duty to address concerns regarding patient care and team dynamics, which could not be ignored.
Lara Basini-Millar remains a midwife dedicated to her profession, but her case highlights the fine line healthcare professionals must navigate when using social media to speak out about workplace issues.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn