Legal remedy at Argyll and Clyde not best option at present - 18 December 2002

There is no immediate prospect of legal action against the Argyll and Clyde NHS Trust over their handling of the departure of four senior executives, the FDA said today. Paul Whiteman, head of health at the FDA, the only organisation directly involved in representing the employees concerned, said: "Any legal remedy will only deliver a relatively small amount of financial compensation. These people have done nothing wrong and deserve better than that. We are in discussions with Argyll and Clyde to find mutually acceptable ways forward for the individuals concerned." Paul Neilson, FDA national officer, said: "We expect to be successful in our efforts to find a solution to this complex situation. We are not in the business of sacrificing individual members' interests for a short-term political gain." Ends Notes for Editors 1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UK's 11,000 senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers 2. For further information contact: - Paul Whiteman (head of health) on 020 7343 1111. - Simon Moore (chief press officer) on 020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile)