14.10.14
Suspended Christie chief resigns after investigation
The suspended chief executive of the Christie Hospital has resigned after an 11-month investigation into claims NHS money was used to fund a trip to Ibiza.
Caroline Shaw was suspended from her role at the Manchester cancer hospital trust last December. She was initially ‘sent home’ in November after being accused of claiming £2,600 in NHS expenses to cover a networking conference trip in Ibiza, organised by members of the Young President's Organisation (YPO), of which she had become a member with the trust's agreement. She was formally suspended on 19 December “as part of a disciplinary process”. Reports say that since being sent home she has been paid more than £130,000.
Her suspension led to the resignation of the trust’s then chair, Lord Keith Bradley, in February after four non-executive members of the board voted against him in a no confidence vote over his handling of the matter.
Since her resignation the independent body responsible for the investigation, NHS Protect, has now confirmed that it will not be taking the matter further. Shaw has also personally paid for the expenses involved with the trip.
(Former Christie Hospital chief exectuive Caroline Shaw)
In a statement announcing Shaw’s resignation, the trust said: “It is now over nine months since Mrs Shaw was suspended. The trust believes the time has come to draw a line under this issue.”
Shaw will receive six months’ pay in lieu of notice and the trust will also pay some of the legal expenses she incurred.
“I have had nine wonderful years at The Christie, in the service of the patients to which it provides such outstanding care,” said Shaw. “It is now time to move on. The trust also needs a fresh start. The Christie, all the staff that work there and the patients that it serves, will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
Sir Hugh Taylor, outgoing chair of the board of The Christie, said: “Under Caroline's leadership, the trust and associated charity has thrived, expanding the services that it provides locally and across the north west, improving access to those services and sustaining high quality care, supported by leading edge research. Her personal legacy to The Christie is immense.
“I understand and respect her decision to move on, which also enables the trust to look to the future. The Christie is an outstanding institution and I, too, wish my successor and all her colleagues well as they take it forward.”
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