Local MPs call for resignation of Health Boss

12.00.00am GMT Tue 17th Dec 2002

MPs conclude NHS bureaucrats to blame for Langan's early resignation.

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, and Jenny Tonge Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, today called for the resignation of Julie Dent, Chief Executive of South West Thames Strategic Health Authority.

The MP's will be writing to the Chairman of the Authority and Ministers arguing that this new local NHS bureaucracy and its boss have seriously undermined local healthcare in recent months.

The MP's are particularly concerned about the way John Langan, Chief Executive at Kingston Hospital, was treated by the regional NHS bureaucracy last September when he was, at best, encouraged to resign, and believe this has undermined staff morale at Kingston Hospital.

Moreover, the MPs believe other matters, including the recent dismissal of Ian Perkin, the Finance Director of St.George's Hospital Tooting, a constituent of Mr Davey, show a dangerous culture of centralised NHS control and endemic poor employment practice.

They believe the blame for allowing this lies with upper tiers of NHS bureaucrats.

The 2 MP's have spent much time in the last 3 months talking to staff and investigating employment practices. They believe they have uncovered poor practice.

No formal or informal warnings were given to either John Langan or Ian Perkin before they left, as the NHS code of practice would require.

They are also concerned that in Kingston's case, an "interim" Chief Executive was appointed without the post being advertised.

Jenny Tonge said, "John Langan was the best NHS manager I have ever encountered, and had to tackle the problem of closure of Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton without extra provision at Kingston Hospital."

"The Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority was directly involved in his leaving and his replacement.

After careful consideration, I have been forced to conclude that the ultimate blame in this case lies with her. She must carry the can for undermining morale and for our local NHS losing such an excellent manager."

"Ed Davey MP said: "Jenny and I have not arrived at this decision lightly.

We have spent considerable time talking to people and making sure we did not come to hasty conclusions that might have been unfair or damaging to the stability of our local hospital.

"Whatever the failings of Kingston Hospital's own Board, it has become increasingly clear to us that the ultimate pressure for recent changes came from outside the Hospital."

"Frankly, the higher NHS bureaucrats are out of control and we want to send a clear signal as local politicians that we object in the strongest possible terms to the increasingly Stalinist way the NHS is managed.

People who dare to challenge central policy are victimised. People who bring their own entrepreneurial approach are punished.

"South West London Health Authority was only set up last April, but it's clear they came with a clear agenda to intimidate local health managers and staff into submission."

"In my constituent's case, his only crime was to tell the truth regarding the finances and targets at St Georges' Hospital, Tooting. NHS bureaucrats couldn't take them. So we won't put up with them."