title: Gagged by false misconduct claims.
abstract: Joe Winters (Speak up, Viewpoint, June 9) answers his own question when he asks why nurses are so reluctant to speak up for themselves. Fear of retribution, from employers and through misuse of the UKCC Code of Conduct complaints procedure, is the problem.
authors.affiliation: Kent.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holtings