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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/17/newcastle-hospitals-chief-sir-leonard-fenwick-sacked-gross-misconduct
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| Newcastle hospitals chief sacked for gross misconduct | Newcastle hospitals chief sacked for gross misconduct |
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| An NHS chief executive has been sacked for gross misconduct after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour. | An NHS chief executive has been sacked for gross misconduct after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour. |
| Sir Leonard Fenwick, who has been at Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals NHS foundation trust for more than 50 years, had been on gardening leave since January while the investigation was carried out. | |
| A statement from the trust said “allegations relating to inappropriate behaviour, use of resources and a range of governance issues” had been proven against Fenwick. | A statement from the trust said “allegations relating to inappropriate behaviour, use of resources and a range of governance issues” had been proven against Fenwick. |
| It said owing to the serious nature of the findings, the trust had reported a number of concerns to the NHS counter-fraud and security management service. | It said owing to the serious nature of the findings, the trust had reported a number of concerns to the NHS counter-fraud and security management service. |
| “After giving very careful consideration to all the evidence presented at the two-day hearing, the disciplinary panel found that allegations relating to inappropriate behaviour, use of resources and a range of governance issues were proven,” the trust said. | |
| “As a result, the panel took the decision to dismiss Sir Leonard from his role as chief executive on the grounds of gross misconduct. This decision was not taken lightly, but made after very careful, lengthy and detailed consideration of the investigation report and Sir Leonard’s response to the allegations.” | “As a result, the panel took the decision to dismiss Sir Leonard from his role as chief executive on the grounds of gross misconduct. This decision was not taken lightly, but made after very careful, lengthy and detailed consideration of the investigation report and Sir Leonard’s response to the allegations.” |
| Fenwick appealed against the decision and a second panel was convened, but it upheld the original decision. | |
| The statement said: “The first priority of the board of directors and our highly skilled and committed staff is always to provide the highest quality of care to our patients, and they have diligently and very successfully maintained and enhanced that focus in recent months, and will continue to do so.” | |
| In March, the trust denied that Fenwick had been placed on leave after he uncovered an alleged sex ring involving hospital staff. The investigation was carried out by an “HR specialist” from outside the trust after those allegations. | |
| The trust strongly refuted the accusation and said it had a duty to protect staff confidentiality. | The trust strongly refuted the accusation and said it had a duty to protect staff confidentiality. |
| Fenwick, from Newcastle, joined the trust in 1965 and oversaw huge changes in the healthcare provided. He is Britain’s longest-serving medical director. | Fenwick, from Newcastle, joined the trust in 1965 and oversaw huge changes in the healthcare provided. He is Britain’s longest-serving medical director. |
| Since Fenwick was placed on leave, the responsibilities of the trust’s chief executive have been shared by Louise Robson, the executive director of business and development, and the medical director, Andy Welch. |