Independent investigation needed into concerns raised by Canterbury senior doctor

The Ministry of Health is doing the people of Canterbury a disservice by claiming that it is undertaking an independent investigation of a complaint against one of its senior officials by a senior doctor at Canterbury District Health Board, says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).

“Instead the Ministry has engaged a legal firm which has done work for the Ministry on a number of occasions, which raises serious questions about the independence of this investigation.”

“Given the serious nature of the complaint, the Ministry needs to make sure the investigation is seen to be both independent and objective, and that it is at arm’s length from the process,” he says.

Mr Powell was commenting on reports that Dr Geoff Shaw at Canterbury DHB had laid a complaint about comments made by National Health Board acting director Michael Hundleby during a meeting in August 2015. According to media reports of a transcript of the meeting, Michael Hundleby said he had not received any information that the Christchurch Hospital’s emergency department was under pressure. That comment was challenged (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/77164902/health-officials-comments-on-cdhb-emergency-department-implausible.html and http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/297178/doctor-lays-complaint-against-ministry-official).

The Canterbury Board Chair was explicit to the Ministry of Health that he wanted an objective independent investigation by the State Services Commission. The Commission regrettably declined to get involved. The Ministry should have gone to an experienced lawyer such as a Queens Counsel or senior partner in a legal firm that was arms-length from it. Failing to do this is poor judgement.

“The comment of the Health Ministry’s senior official at the meeting with senior doctors last August that Canterbury DHB had not informed the Ministry of the pressures on the emergency department created a toxic atmosphere between senior doctors and senior management. This was only overcome when management was able to prove that they had raised their concerns with the Ministry.

“Dr Shaw’s complaint highlights the depth of feeling, and especially the frustration and concern, among health professionals on these issues. It’s a serious complaint and it’s in the interests of clinicians, patients and the public of Canterbury that it be investigated properly, with independence and objectivity. Asking a firm that has done work for you on a number of occasions to look into a complaint made about a staff member in your organisation is not a satisfactory process, and it will raise questions about the robustness of the investigation’s outcome.

“Because this investigation lacks independence, objectivity and experience, we are advising Dr Shaw and other affected hospital specialists not to meet with the Health Ministry’s hired help.”

Mr Powell says the Ministry should be working to improve its relationship with the Canterbury DHB and to support a relationship of trust and common interest between the DHB’s senior management and senior health professionals, rather than acting in a way that promotes divisiveness and mistrust.

ENDS

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