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Conclusion of disciplinary
investigation following whistle blowing complaints
IN response to 3 whistleblowing
complaints made to Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, and following an
independent, external investigation by the Good Governance Institute, it was
necessary to exclude three senior executives and one other employee.
In line with the relevant policies, an independent disciplinary investigation
was then commissioned by the Trust.
That independent disciplinary investigation into serious conduct issues has now
concluded and has identified that there is a case to answer for three
individuals.
Disciplinary hearings will now be arranged as soon as possible.
In respect of one member of staff who had been excluded, the investigation found
no case to answer, and arrangements will now be made for that individual to
return to work.
No aspect of the whistle blowing complaints or disciplinary investigation
related to issues of patient care or safety.
Sue Musson, Chair of the Trust said:- “This is a serious employment issue
for the Trust and will have been a very difficult time for the individuals
concerned. I am pleased that the necessarily lengthy and diligent investigation
into the complex matters involved has now concluded.
Throughout this process, the Trust has adhered to the appropriate policies to
ensure fairness while acknowledging the legitimate public interest in the
timescale and costs involved. The Trust’s priority is and remains providing
quality healthcare to the 258,000 people we serve across Southport, Formby and
West Lancashire.”
The Trust will be unable to comment further until the conclusion of the
disciplinary hearings.
Iain McInnes appointed interim Chief Executive
Iain McInnes has been appointed interim Chief Executive for Southport and
Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.
He joins on Monday 15 August on secondment from NHS Improvement, the national
organisation which supports NHS providers and local health systems, where he is
Portfolio Director.
Iain trained in the NHS as a nurse and has more than 25 years of clinical
experience which culminated in his appointment as Executive Nurse at a combined
acute and community trust. For nine years he was then chief executive in both
NHS commissioning and provider organisations.
Iain said:- "I am delighted to join a Trust I know well and meet more of
the committed and caring staff who work across our community and hospital
services.
I also look forward to working with our partners in health and social care to
further improve quality and performance and ensure we deliver sustainable
services to our local population."
Iain succeeds Kim Hodgson who was appointed interim Chief Executive in May for a
temporary period.
Trust Chair Sue Musson said:- “Iain brings a wealth of experience to the
Trust. He will help us continue to deliver the best possible care to our
patients. I also want to thank Kim for bringing energy and expertise to the
Trust at such short notice.”
Kim will remain Accountable Officer for the Trust until Sunday. She said:-
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Trust staff for the
kindness and professionalism they have shown me over the past three months.
It really has been one of the best professional experiences of my life. I leave
with very happy memories and wish everyone a happy, healthy working life.”
The Trust has recently made three substantive executive director appointments,
bringing stability to the Trust. They are:
· Steve Shanahan – Director of Finance. Steve was seconded to the Trust
following the departure of Damian Reid for Bedford Hospital NHS Trust last
October. He now takes the substantive role.
· Sheila Lloyd – Director of Nursing. Sheila is currently Director of
Nursing at the Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, based in West
Bromwich, before which all her nursing and management career was in hospitals.
She succeeds Simon Featherstone who has returned to Salford Royal NHS Foundation
Trust in Greater Manchester as a director of nursing.
· Therese Patten – Chief Operating Officer. Therese joins the Trust from
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust where she is Associate
Director Strategic Development and Partnership.
The 2 other executive directors are Executive Medical Director Rob Gillies and
interim Director of HR and Communications Richard Jones. |
