DCH crisis: Governors in 'gagging' row (From Thisisdorset)
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DCH crisis: Governors in 'gagging' row
11:00am Thursday 9th September 2010 in
ANGRY governors have warned they won’t be gagged from speaking out about Dorset County Hospital.
They hit out in a heated debate about speaking to the media at a governors’ meeting yesterday afternoon.
Governor Pete Coghlan said governors should hold back from speaking to the press under the hospital’s code of conduct.
The Trust’s current code of conduct states that if the media approaches a governor they should contact the Trust’s corporate business manager or the communication manager in the first instance.
Mr Coghlan said: “When we were going through the major financial difficulties last year, the number of connections to the media resulted in graphic headlines. We were being run by the media.
“Even recently we have had staff taking part in interviews but I suggest that is stopped.”
Some governors disagreed and refused to be bound by restrictions.
Michel Hooper-Immins said: “It’s interesting that this morning we attained a new level of openness with the first public open board meeting.
“Now comes this unwise move to gag governors, to stop us talking to the media. This is a principle that runs completely against the recent moves to introduce transparency”
He added: “Any restriction of governors talking to the media or the public is forbidden by Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1999, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.”
Governor Derek Julian added: “This is an attempt to gag and you will not do that to me.
“I will carry on as I have been carrying on for many years.”
Another governor, Andy Hutchings, said: “I was concerned when I saw this on the agenda. We have to be trusted.”
However, Bill Mitchell was one of the governors who said he disagreed that the code of conduct was acting as a gagging order.
Chairman Jeffrey Ellwood said: “There’s nothing to stop members of the council talking to the press.
“The code of conduct asks if you would please check your facts with the hospital before you do so.”
Comments(9)
Monmouthsman
says...
1:09pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Clearly if a better and more open relationship with the media and public in general had been in place previously it would almost certainly have been realised that a financial hiatus was looming.
Thinking about that some more, it seems amazing that the situation built up without the governors being aware of it. I don't recall any resignations from the likes of accountants or corporate business manager so must assume that they were open, competent and honest. Surely the question has to be answered - Why were the board of governors so ineffective in this fundamental aspect of overseeing the Trust?
portlandboy
says...
2:46pm Thu 9 Sep 10
And I'm very glad that Derrick Julian is representing my area!
portlandboy
says...
2:50pm Thu 9 Sep 10
CoogarUK.com
says...
3:24pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Black-Camel
says...
3:24pm Thu 9 Sep 10
It would appear to me that he is merely stating that the other governors follow what is now a common practice in both corporate and public life; contact the communications chief before making any statements to the press.
You will find that the same policy applies to the CEO's of petroleum companies all the way down to the local policeman walking the beat.
For those who have misinterpreted the report to construe that Mr. Coghlan was trying to "gag" the other Governors, I would suggest they should carefully re-read the text.
As for the other governors who were bleating on about their "human rights," it would appear that they are clearly lacking in communication skills and should be stoned to death or fired.
Whichever they prefer...
Bumpkin
says...
8:05pm Thu 9 Sep 10
May I point out two important points?
1) The corporate business manager is not there to manage the finances. The role is more akin to a company secretary so please check your facts before jumping to conclusions.
2) Whilst Mr Julian holds definite views about Trust issues he is not as well informed as he thinks he is.
Thank you.
weymouthfox
says...
8:11pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Monmouthsman
says...
1:15pm Wed 15 Sep 10
If this is so then clearly he is not as well briefed by the Trust’s corporate business manager or the communications manager as he, and I guess the rest of the governors, should be.
I should like to think that is a situation that is being meaningfully addressed but fear that it is not being considered by the Trust's staff at all. All concerned need a sharp reminder that not only is it our cash that is being mis-spent here it is our health that is being mis-managed as well.
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Tru belle says...
12:41pm Thu 9 Sep 10