No hope for Good Hope - 3 December 2002

The claim by Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust that they dismissed the Chief Executive Jeff Chandra today only serves to further undermine the professionalism and credibility possessed by the Chairman, Sir Bernard Zissman and the Trust Board. Jeff Chandra resigned and registered his claim of constructive dismissal with the Trust at 4.43pm yesterday, Monday 2 December 2002. Therefore the Trust no longer has a Chief Executive to dismiss. Despite the trust claiming that the fax machines were, rather conveniently, not working, a member of the HR team confirmed on behalf of the Trust that the fax had been received. This confirmation was given to Paul Whiteman, who heads the FDA's health section, at 5.08pm yesterday. Mr Chandra also emailed his correspondence. Paul Whiteman said: "This complete lack of understanding is further evidence that Jeff would never have received a fair hearing and that he has been constructively dismissed. It is astonishing that the chairman can claim that Mr Chandra is guilty of manipulation when in his press statement of 4 October 2002 the chairman himself said that no evidence of this existed." Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, reiterated his call for the board to resign: "Clearly the board is out of its depth and is prepared to risk patient care in favour of political expediency." 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: - Jonathan Baume (general secretary) on 020-7343-1111 or 07976-951191 (mobile) - Paul Whiteman (head of business development) on 020 73431130 or 07967 185356 (mobile) - Simon Moore (chief press officer) on 020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile)