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1240/5(5465)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER
BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. MARTIN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 22nd JUNE 2010
Question
"What action, if any, is being taken against those responsible for implementing and continuing the Consultant Gynaecologist's suspension from the Health and Social Services Department?
Given that initially the review into the suspension was estimated to take between 4 to 6 weeks and cost £40,000, will the Chief Minister inform Members of the reasons for the delay and the final cost?"
Answer
The Consultant Gynaecologist concerned is no longer excluded.
The review was completed with the benefit of hindsight. It notes the fact that this was a new policy, that people were unfamiliar in its application, that it was a difficult case and had the added complexity of a criminal investigation. It did not reach conclusions of negligence or malicious intent by any of the managers involved. I have asked for an assessment of whether there are grounds for taking disciplinary action and I am advised that there is no case against any current employees.
With respect to the length of time taken, the desk top work and the main interviews were completed by the end of last year and a first draft of the full confidential report written by mid January (approximately 6 weeks from the start of the review). There were a number of points to follow up with key individuals who were unavailable during January and February.
Late February and March were taken up with the final checks and the preparation of the shorter report fit for publication. There were no issues regarding the content of the confidential report, these final checks mainly related to addressing a number of important points to consider regarding the balance between openness in addressing the key issues in the published part of the report and ensuring that the SEB did not breach any employment or other duties to employees.
The total cost will be around £60,000. The extra cost is due to the additional work relating to checks regarding the part of the report which was to be published to States Members and the media and two additional visits by the Reviewers to Jersey for presentation to SEB and States Members.