A former NHS chief executive, who was in charge during the tragic events surrounding nurse Lucy Letby, has revealed that she was pushed out of her position after standing up for patient safety over financial concerns.
Dr. Susan Gilby, who took on the role at the Countess of Chester Hospital in September 2018, found herself at odds with the hospital’s leadership, particularly when it came to prioritizing cuts over patient well-being.
The Struggle to Balance Cost-Cutting and Care
Dr. Gilby, who had been working hard to improve the hospital’s governance and culture, was determined to make decisions that placed patients’ safety first.
However, the arrival of Ian Haythornthwaite as chairman in late 2021 shifted the hospital’s focus heavily towards reducing costs.
Dr. Gilby described feeling harassed, intimidated, and undermined by Haythornthwaite, who, according to her, was more concerned with the hospital’s financial health than its patients.
Her attempts to raise concerns about Haythornthwaite’s aggressive behavior and poor treatment led to her being suspended in December 2022.
She eventually resigned, lodging a claim for unfair dismissal against the hospital and Haythornthwaite.
In a landmark ruling, an employment tribunal found Dr. Gilby’s claim to be “well-founded” and now, she stands to receive a significant compensation payout.
Uncovering the Scheme to Force Her Out
The tribunal found that after Dr. Gilby raised her complaints, the hospital’s leadership devised a plan to remove her from her position.
Known as “Project Countess,” this plan involved deleting documents and destroying evidence related to her tenure.
The tribunal also found that Dr. Gilby’s favorable 2019/2020 appraisal was among the documents destroyed, raising further concerns about the hospital’s attempts to cover up their actions.
The Emotional Toll on Dr. Gilby
Speaking after the tribunal’s decision, Dr. Gilby expressed how devastating the experience had been for her.
She described the impact the events had on her mental health, her reputation, and her confidence. “The Trust’s actions have destroyed my confidence in my ability to perform any senior management role,” she said. Dr. Gilby, who had hoped to dedicate the final years of her distinguished healthcare career to the hospital, felt forced out for standing up to those who prioritized finances over care.
She also recalled an extremely distressing meeting in July 2022 with Haythornthwaite, where his bullying behavior became unbearable. “His behavior was threatening and upsetting.
It was bullying, pure and simple,” she said, describing how Haythornthwaite verbally attacked her during the meeting.
The Corruption and Cover-Up at the Hospital
Dr. Gilby went on to explain how the hospital’s leadership, including the head of human resources, failed to investigate her complaints and instead collaborated to drive her out.
She also claimed that one of the hospital’s non-executive directors, Ros Fallon, had told her in October 2022 that it was time for her to leave. Dr. Gilby was later suspended and felt she had no choice but to resign.
The Hospital’s Response and Ongoing Issues
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged the tribunal’s outcome and promised to conduct a thorough review of the findings.
However, Haythornthwaite remains the current chairman, and some of the other key figures involved in the case have since left the Trust.
Despite the turmoil, Dr. Gilby remains resolute in her belief that patient care should always come first, and that the actions taken against her were unjust and damaging.
The Lasting Impact on Dr. Gilby’s Career and Life
Reflecting on the toll this experience has taken, Dr. Gilby noted the profound effect it has had on her life.
Her integrity, she says, was never up for compromise, and while she has suffered considerable financial losses, she is proud that she stood by her principles.
She remains hopeful that the outcome of this case will encourage change in the way the NHS handles issues of patient care versus financial concerns.
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