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Trust admits failure to disclose information on Clifton resignation - Burstow
August 13, 2007 12:02 AM
Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam has lodged a complaint with the Information Commissioner after Epsom and St Helier Hospital Trust admitted failure to disclose a letter concerning the resignation of former Chief Executive Lorraine Clifton.
Mr Burstow has lodged three Freedom of Information requests with the Hospital Trust since Ms Clifton's departure, but has received little response until now. However, in May, the Department of Health provided Mr Burstow with documents referring to a letter written by Micheal Doherty, former Chair of the Epsom and St Helier Trust. The documents imply Mr Doherty's displeasure at the manner of Ms Clifton's departure.
Mr Burstow raised this issue with the Trust last month and has now received a response. The response apologises for failing to provide the letter in response to earlier requests, citing a 'filing error'. However, the Trust has still not provided the letter in question.
Commenting on these developments, Mr Burstow said:
"It is clear that the Trust does not have reasonable grounds for failing to make Mr Doherty's letter available.
"As this drags on, the increasingly ridiculous nature of the excuses do nothing to quell rumours of a serious cover-up.
"I have written to the Information Commissioner to formally complain about the Trust's continued mishandling of this situation."
Notes to Editors:
• In January, Paul Burstow wrote to Epsom and St Helier Trust after Lorraine Clifton, Chief Executive of the Trust resigned amid rumours of a large pay off. The Trust cited a number of exemptions in its response
• Mr Burstow then wrote to the Trust, NHS London and the Department of Health requesting documentation about the resignation of Ms Clifton and Trust Chair Michael Doherty. Epsom and St Helier refused to provide any such documentation, citing a number of exemptions under the Data Protection Act.
• The Department of Health responded to Mr Burstow's request in May, providing copies of internal correspondence relatintg to the handling of a letter received from Trust Chair Michael Doherty shortly after Ms Clifton's departure. The correspondence makes clear that Mr Doherty is displeased with the handling of the resignation.
• In his letter to Mr Burstow, dated 25 July, the Trust Secretary said that he had not been aware of the letter because it has not been produced and filed according to the standard processes.
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