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1240/5(5453)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER
BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. MARTIN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 22nd JUNE 2010
Question
Given that in (a)(ii) of their Terms of Reference, Goodwin Hannah Ltd (GH) were required to investigate whether there was any conflict of interest on the part of States Employment Board which lead to the failure to resolve the Consultant Gynaecologist's suspension in a timely way, will the Chief Minister state whether this was investigated, whether any evidence of such conflict was received, and why nothing under this heading has been included in the redacted version of the Report?
Will the Chief Minister provide GH's findings outlining the procedural errors and conflicts of interest on the part of senior management at Health and Social Services which lead to the prolongation of the Consultant Gynaecologist's suspension?
Did GH receive any evidence of bullying or harassment of the Gynaecologist or his professional advisers during the period of his suspension, and, if so, what exactly were their findings on this specific issue?
Can the Chief Minister give an assurance that neither the hospital managers nor senior medical officers responsible for the catalogue of errors both in the initiation and continuation of the Consultant Gynaecologist's suspension have been, or presently are involved in the cases of the two hospital doctors currently excluded or suspended?
Answer
The review panel found no evidence of any conflict of interest issues regarding SEB. Until November 2009 SEB received statistical reports on the number of suspensions, since then they have been receiving more detailed reports on individual cases.
The purpose of providing the outcome in two parts, one of which was to remain confidential, was to ensure that the SEB complied with its legal obligations to staff, including the obligation to conduct itself in a way which maintains the trust and confidence of staff. There is sometimes a tension between that duty and the demand for personal information to be put into the public domain. I am not able to release the full findings of the Review because to do so would risk putting the SEB in breach of its duties to employees, to whom the SEB owes a duty of care.
No claims of bullying or harassment of the Consultant or his advisers were made and therefore were not investigated.
There are currently no exclusions from the hospital. Any cases will be managed by the Hospital Director assisted by the interim HR Director and overseen by the new Chief Officer for H&SS.