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2017.01.30
15 Deputy M.R. Higgins of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the
Minister’s awareness that a complaint had not been made to the British Medical Association against the Clinical Director in the Alwitry case: [1(85)]
I had better explain that this question is possibly a waste of time as it should really have been directed to the previous Minister for Health and Social Services.
The Deputy Bailiff :
Do you still wish to ask it? Deputy M.R. Higgins:
I shall ask it and follow on from it. Will the Minister inform Members when he was first made aware or read documents to show that Mr. Alwitry had not made a complaint to the British Medical Association against the Clinical Director, and what actions, if any, did he take in response to this information in relation to his department’s employees?
Senator A.K.F. Green (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
It will come as no surprise to the Deputy that my answer is very similar to that of the Chief Minister. The Solicitor General’s report, paragraphs 184 to 186, make it quite clear that the B.M.A. had approached the hospital in an email on 12th November 2012 referring to problems. It is also highlighted in the Health and Social Services Department report to S.E.B. on 21st November that year. It has now emerged that in November that year he has, that is Mr. Alwitry has engaged the B.M.A. to support a formal complaint about the clinical director.
[16:30]
This is complicated and confusing but it was quite clear that a complaint of some nature was made. I was asked as a member of the S.E.B., I presume, when I was first aware of a complaint or made aware that Dr. Alwitry said he did not make a complaint. As a member of S.E.B. I was present on 18th December when it was agreed to review and look into the hiring and subsequent termination of Mr. Alwitry. At the time I was the Minister for Housing and I am also proud to have been a member of the S.E.B. and stand by what the S.E.B. has achieved in that time. But it would have been inappropriate for me as Minister for Housing to take any action on employees in Health and Social Services.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
Can the Minister for Health and Social Services tell us whether on the 18th he was made aware that one of the consultants had threatened to resign unless Mr. Alwitry’s appointment was terminated?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
I think there is some confusion here. His appointment had already been terminated and on the 18th we received a letter, from memory, saying that Mr. Alwitry said he did not make a complaint.
The Deputy Bailiff :
I can give you a final supplementary if there is no one else.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
I wanted confirmation of this. Did one of the consultants in the hospital at the meeting on the 18th threaten to resign if Mr. Alwitry was reinstated?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
I do not have the minutes of the 18th with me. I cannot answer that question.