South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust report - 4 March 2003

The Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority report into the reporting of the waiting list data at South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust raises serious concerns for NHS managers, the FDA said today.

Paul Whiteman, head of the FDA's health section, said the process followed in internal investigations of this type did not conform to the rigour demanded by agreed disciplinary procedures. "The outcome is that managers careers are being destroyed without them being afforded the right of a fair procedure. Those affected are not able to put their interpretation to the full investigation team and have no right of question and reply."

He went on to say: "This report raises some very serious concerns about the actions of some, but it goes on to make accusations and conclusions that do not appear to be supported by robust evidence."

The FDA, supporting senior managers in the NHS, is continuing with its efforts to establish an acceptable process to deal with these issues.

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.

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