Hospital bosses deny gagging former chief executive Gary Walker
Hospital bosses claim they did not gag a former chief executive following the end of his employment.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust says the agreement at the end of Gary Walker's employment related only to "employment issues."
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Gary Walker
This comes after Mr Walker claimed he had no choice but to sign the "super-gag" agreement in April, 2011.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was gagged by the NHS from speaking about his dismissal and his concerns over patient safety.
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But a statement by ULHT today says: "The agreement we reached with Gary Walker is not about stopping people from raising any concerns they may have around patient services, it related to his employment proceedings.
"The issue here is that a legal agreement on employment issues was negotiated by two parties, both of whom had access to legal advice."
4 Comments
by SS29252
Thursday, February 14 2013, 9:37PM
“'Out of court settlements are what they are, though. If he really had a strong case, wouldn't he have fought on?'
As I understand it the tribunal system takes a dim view of someone who has turned down a reasonable settlement and 'fought on.'
I found it very interesting doing a search of Gary Walker on this site and reading the scathing comments made about his payoff at the time.”
by Pru_Freda
Thursday, February 14 2013, 9:21PM
“V70PDB - I know what you mean. Within hours of the broadcast on Today, they were threatening legal proceedings to recover his £500k payoff.
Out of court settlements are what they are, though. If he really had a strong case, wouldn't he have fought on?
Does a whistleblower drop the case of wasted lives in exchange for a few quid?”
by West_Lindsey
Thursday, February 14 2013, 7:21PM
“There is something not quite right about gagging orders, especially anyone and there are many who have been poorly served by this trust.
I have the utmost admiration for caring and over worked Nurses. Unfortunately this trust has become a failing public service provider and a frightening place for anyone to receive medical services.
People would sooner suffer than be sent to what someone described to me as "this death-zone".
Hopefully a full enquiry will make this trust accountable and trustworthy, only time will tell.”
by V70PDB
Thursday, February 14 2013, 5:02PM
“Well if ULHT say he didn't have an agreement then they wont be taking him to court because he has broken it then will they!”