NHS staff suspensions highlighted

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More than 400 NHS staff in Wales have been sacked or suspended in the past two years, according to figures obtained by an assembly member.

The alleged offences involved included abuse of patients, sexual harassment, drug thefts and fraud.

Chris Franks AM warned suspensions for a year or more in some cases put extra pressure on others working in the NHS.

Trusts stressed suspension was a "neutral act" often taken to protect the staff member involved.

The figures, obtained using the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), showed the costs of paying staff while they were suspended was more than £850,000 over two years.

They indicated 78 staff were suspended in 2006/07 and 121 in 2007/08 - a total of 199.

Over the same period there were 87 dismissals in the first year and 115 in the second - 202 altogether.

The statistics also indicated that one staff member in north Wales was suspended for 19 months in the 2006/07 financial year.

More than 90,000 people are directly employed by the health service in Wales, around five per cent of the working age population

Plaid Cymru AM Mr Franks said he accepted the numbers suspended "represents a very small proportion of NHS staff but it is important that those who fall below the standards expected are weeded out which is clearly happening".

"I do have concerns at the length of time that some staff are suspended before a decision on their future is made.

"This can be for a year or more and during that time staff are paid.

"I would hope that trusts wherever possible would look to reduce the investigation time for disciplinary cases.

"Suspensions on full pay of staff for long periods also often put extra pressure on those who work in the same office or area," he added.

The Welsh Assembly Government said staff management was "a matter for NHS organisations".

A spokesman added: "Managers must follow strict procedures in managing performance and conduct of staff and when considering disciplinary action.

"These procedures are in place to protect the staff concerned as well as other staff and patients".

Child protection

Cwm Taff NHS Trust response to Mr Franks is understood to broadly reflect the position of trusts as a whole on suspensions.

The trust said: "We would also like to point out that suspension is a neutral act which is often undertaken protect the individual, it is not an indication of guilt.

"Suspension is not an action that the trust takes lightly and is undertaken in accordance with the Trust Investigation Policy where the decision is based on patient care, other staff or even the individual themselves.

"Suspension also occurs if there is any indication that an investigation could be compromised by the individual remaining in the workplace.

"Redeployment to another area is always considered as the first option.

"Suspension by a manager is always undertaken in conjunction with advice from the Human Resources Department.

"Sometimes suspensions are as a result of a Protection of Children Act or Protection of Vulnerable Adult issue where there may be a police investigation into an allegation.

"This is out of the hands of the trust".