News from the FDA
The union of choice for senior managers and professionals inpublic service
03 December 2002
[For Immediate Use]
No hope for Good Hope
The claim by Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust that theydismissed the Chief Executive Jeff Chandra today only serves to furtherundermine the professionalism and credibility possessed by the Chairman, SirBernard Zissman and the Trust Board. Jeff Chandra resigned and registered hisclaim of constructive dismissal with the Trust at 4.43pm yesterday, Monday 2December 2002. Therefore the Trust no longer has a Chief Executive to dismiss.
Despite the trust claiming that the fax machineswere, rather conveniently, not working, a member of the HR team confirmed onbehalf of the Trust that the fax had been received. This confirmation was givento Paul Whiteman, who heads the FDAs health section, at 5.08pm yesterday. MrChandra also emailed his correspondence.
Paul Whiteman said:
This complete lack of understanding is furtherevidence that Jeff would never have received a fair hearing and that he hasbeen constructively dismissed. It is astonishing that the chairman can claimthat Mr Chandra is guilty of manipulation when in his press statement of 4October 2002 the chairman himself said that no evidence of this existed."
Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, reiteratedhis call for the board to resign:
Clearly the board is out of its depth and isprepared to risk patient care in favour of political expediency."
Notesfor Editors
1. TheFDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UKs 11,000senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, seniormanagers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, specialadvisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers
2. Forfurther information contact:
JonathanBaume (general secretary) on 020-7343-1111 or07976-951191 (mobile)
Paul Whiteman (head of business development)on 020 73431130 or 07967 185356 (mobile)
Simon Moore (chief press officer) on020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile)