Union calls for board to resign - 2 December 2002

Ministers at the Department of Health came under fire today from the FDA amid allegations of a "Wild West, shoot first ask questions later" attitude towards senior managers in the NHS. Jeff Chandra, one of the small number of ethnic minority chief executives employed in the service, left Good Hope Hospital Trust claiming constructive dismissal today. Mr Chandra identified waiting list irregularities during 2001 and had worked hard to solve the systemic problems causing difficulties. No evidence has been found to implicate Mr Chandra in any wrongdoing, despite numerous investigations, and the Trust has confided to Mr Chandra that it needed a "public hanging to satisfy its masters". The trust has been unwilling to instigate a fair process to investigate complaints made by Mr Chandra, or to constitute an acceptable panel to hear disciplinary proceedings following his suspension in August. Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary said: "It is the board that should have resigned today. Senior managers will never be able to expect fair treatment while clear processes do not exist and politicians can so easily interfere in the employment relationship between the trust and senior manager." Paul Whiteman, who heads the FDA's health section, said: "This is the first real test of the principles of the new code of conduct. The right to be treated fairly has clearly been breached. It seems the government's fine words again lack support." Mr Chandra said: "I am leaving Good Hope with great sadness because I believe the actions of the Trust Board have left me no other option. The Trust has refused to establish a fair and independent process for hearing the facts about the waiting list problems that have emerged. I believe I am being scapegoated because as Chief Executive I sought to highlight and address these problems in an open and determined way, and this appears to have caused embarrassment to the Trust Board". 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)