17.08.17
Longest serving NHS chief executive sacked for ‘gross misconduct’
The NHS’s longest serving CEO Sir Leonard Fenwick has been sacked by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS FT (NUT) for “gross misconduct”.
Sir Leonard was placed on a period of extended leave from his role at the trust back in January 2017 whilst the organisation carried out an independent investigation into a number of issues.
And today, the trust has revealed that the investigation has been completed and in light of its findings, the board has decided to sack its chief executive.
The trust said that the HR specialist who carried out the investigation presented its findings at a two-day hearing, saying that allegations related to “inappropriate behaviour, use of resources and a range of governance issues were proven”.
NUT added that the decision was not taken lightly, but was made after “careful, lengthy and detailed consideration of the investigation report” and Sir Leonard’s response to the accusations.
“Sir Leonard appealed against the panel’s decision to dismiss him on the grounds of gross misconduct,” a spokesperson for NUT said. “A second and different panel was convened to hear his appeal, and after further careful, lengthy and detailed consideration the panel has decided to uphold the original disciplinary panel’s decision.
“Due to the serious nature of the issues the trust was required to report a number of concerns to NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Services, known as NHS Protect,” they continued. “As a result, it would be inappropriate for the trust to make any further comment on this matter.”
Since early January the responsibilities of the trust’s chief executive have been shared by Louise Robson, executive director of Business and Development, and Andy Welch, medical director, and NUT confirmed that this management will continue until a new permanent CEO is found.
“The first priority of the board of directors and our highly skilled and committed staff is always to provide the highest quality of care to our patients, and they have diligently and very successfully maintained and enhanced that focus in recent months and will continue to do so,” the spokesperson continued.
Top Image: Tom White PA Wire
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