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The health minister ‘encouraged’ the author of a critical report about his department to apply for a new role overseeing the service – and then appointed him, it has emerged.
The decision to update Health’s existing oversight board stemmed from a report by UK Professor Hugo Massey-Taylor, which alleged that bullying, ‘bias against standardisation’ and ‘vested interests’ prevailed in the island’s health service and, the report said. Risk to patient safety.
Health Minister Karen Wilson will appoint Professor Massey-Taylor on a 12-month contract that will see her paid £225,000 to work three days a week, following a recruitment process overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, which whittled 52 candidates down to five interviews and then a final two .
Appearing before a scrutiny hearing this week, Deputy Wilson admitted she had ‘encouraged [Prof Mascie-Taylor] Wondering if he would be interested in the role or not.
‘That was as far as I was concerned and the authorities then pushed a number of people forward in terms of sourcing.’
Defending the process, she later added: ‘I think there were enough stages, before reaching my decision, to remove any conflict in that respect, and I think I was satisfied with the two candidates to compare them. were presented. , that the candidate who was successful met the requirements of the job.’
Assistant Health Minister Malcolm Ferry, who was also at the scrutiny hearing, said: ‘The appointment commission was involved in the process to ensure independence and transparency.’
A consultant told the JEP that some doctors felt the appointment was ‘underhanded’ and were particularly concerned about Professor Massey-Taylor’s existing relationship with the director-general of health, Caroline Landon, and medical director Patrick Armstrong, whom he previously mentored. on a weekly basis.
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