News from the FDA

The union of choice for senior managers and professionals inpublic service

18 December 2002

[For Immediate Use]

Legal remedy at Argyll and Clyde not best option at present

There is no immediate prospect of legal actionagainst the Argyll and Clyde NHS Trust over their handling of the departure offour senior executives, the FDA said today.

Paul Whiteman, Head of Health at the FDA the onlyorganisation directly involved in representing the employees concerned said:"Any legal remedy will only deliver a relatively small amount of financialcompensation. These people have done nothing wrong and deserve better thanthat. We are in discussions with Argyll and Clyde to find mutually acceptableways forward for the individuals concerned."

Paul Neilson, FDA national officer, said: "Weexpect to be successful in our efforts to find a solution to this complexsituation. We are not in the business of sacrificing individual members'interests for a short-term political gain."

Ends

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:

Paul Whiteman (head of health) on 020 73431111.

Simon Moore (chief press officer) on020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile)