Hospital row chief exec off sick with stress
The chief executive of Lincolnshire's hospitals has gone on sick leave – the day his leadership was called into question.
Dame Barbara Hakin, who heads up NHS East Midlands, said that it would work together with the new chairman of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust Paul Richardson to decide whether chief executive Gary Walker's position is tenable.
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Chief executive Gary Walker
But while Mr Richardson was introduced to fellow board members at their monthly meeting held at the council chambers in Grantham yesterday, Mr Walker was nowhere to be seen. It emerged that a doctor had signed him off with stress.
Tensions between NHS East Midlands and ULHT were made public last week following the resignation of ULHT's former chairman, David Bowles.
Mr Bowles claimed he resigned due to a culture of bullying staff to put Government targets above patient care. But Dame Barbara said Mr Bowles resigned after being suspended from his position following a dispute with the chairman of NHS East Midlands, Sir John Brigstocke.
Mr Walker said: "I continue to be surprised that such a personal attack has been made on the management, clinical or non-clinical, of this trust.
"I met with the chief executive of NHS East Midlands and the interim chairman of ULHT last Thursday and the chief executive said she had no concerns she wished to act on immediately."
Steve O'Neill, spokesman for NHS East Midlands, said he could not comment on Mr Walker's job or the fact he was on sick leave.
The Department of Health announced last night that an independent review would be conducted into Mr Bowles's allegations against NHS East Midlands.
For more on the issues surrounding ULHT, see Wednesday's Echo.
5 Comments
by Dan, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 11:09AM
“Thanks, Matt - my apologies.
The concern I have has more to do with public sector payouts than individuals, though. Someone has to pay for these payouts - and that's all of us, through taxes.”
by Matt, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 8:24AM
“Dan
It's not David Bowles who has been signed off sick, he was the chairman. It is the chief exec Gary Walker.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 7:55AM
“And may I add to the comment I psoted below, that if anybody disagrees with me, they are being blatantly racist and are only arguing with me because I am white.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 7:54AM
“Who cares if he's off sick? Who cares if he gets sick pay? It doesn't affect us in any way so why bother worrying about it?”
by Dan, Lincoln
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 7:30AM
“From the Guardian 22 April 2004:
"Mr Bowles, who went sick with stress before the trial started, was ready to return to work this week having been cleared by the authority's own doctor, but has been told to stay at home."
This was when David Bowles was Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council. He later received £400,000 compensation. Is there now going to be another payoff from public funds? Or is it another David Bowles altogether? Time for the Echo to investigate?”