PS to scrutinise “appointment” of GPHC Deputy CEO

Aug 04, 2016 News

-Board says appointment ‘null and void’

The appointment of a new Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was not the handiwork of the Permanent Secretary, Mr Trevor Thomas. Thomas himself made this disclosure yesterday.
He, however, noted that while he is not aware that one Paul Clarke was appointed to the post of Deputy CEO, he intimated that “he might have been asked to go there but not appointed. The Ministry can recommend anybody to the Board but the decision to appoint resides with the CEO and the Board.”
But according to Thomas, “I am looking into the matter.”
Reports reaching this publication suggest that on Tuesday Clarke turned up at the hospital and informed officials there, including the hospital’s Board, that he had been appointed as the Deputy CEO. The man also asked for a meeting with senior officials of the hospital.
Clarke’s last known public sector employment was as the manager of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre.
It is alleged that Clarke told officials at the hospital that he was sent by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health to take up the appointment. He, however, had no letter to verify his claim.
Thomas, when contacted yesterday,‘ did not deny sending Clarke to the hospital but insisted that he did not appoint him. The Permanent Secretary, moreover, emphasised that he is not aware that Clarke has been appointed as the Deputy CEO. “I am looking into the matter and will be better able to clear up the matter by (today),” Thomas said yesterday.
But a source close to the operation of the hospital informed this publication yesterday that based on Clarke’s disclosure that he was sent by the Permanent Secretary, the Board has since sought clarity by writing to Thomas. While the content of that letter was not shared with this publication, it was revealed that the letter was sent off yesterday.
This publication was informed that since Clarke did not turn up with an instrument of appointment, senior officials did not avail themselves for a meeting with him yesterday as was requested.
Moreover, the Board has concluded, this publication understands, that Clarke’s appointment is “null and void.”
Among the legal mandate of the Board, an official related yesterday, is to appoint and terminate at the GPHC. Added to this, this publication was informed that the position of Deputy CEO does not even exist at the institution. In light of this an official emphasised that “we are governed by rules and regulations…A position like that (Deputy CEO) if it exists, should be advertised and interviews done before an appointment could be made.
“The Government has said that it wants transparency and that is what we are working towards – transparency,” asserted an evidently riled up official yesterday.
The fiasco has consequently resulted in a delay into the investigation into allegations against the hospital’s Director of Nursing Services (Matron), Sister Collene Hicks. Hicks was recently sent on administrative leave to facilitate an investigation.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hospital, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman, had revealed that a “Committee of Inquiry” would be set up to spearhead the investigation of allegations that Hicks was insubordinate and failed to perform in the best interest of the institution. Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Alan Johnson, was expected to oversee the work of the Committee.
But this publication understands that Johnson has since proceeded on a month-long sick leave. There are reports, however, that ever since Johnson proceeded on leave, confusion has overwhelmed the operation of the hospital.
It all started with the release of a report detailing the findings of a forensic audit into the procurement process of the hospital. The audit was conducted by Junior Finance Minister, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma. To facilitate that audit the substantive CEO, Mr. Michael Khan, was sent on administrative leave.
Based on the findings, Khan has been cleared of all wrongdoing. But there still remains division at the level of the Board whether Khan should resume his duties. In fact, the Board has since written to Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, to decide on the way forward.
Now the dilemma at the GPHC, from all indications, is evolving with the arrival of Clarke claiming that he was the new Deputy CEO.

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PS to scrutinise “appointment” of GPHC Deputy CEO

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