Islington Tribune - News: Supporters’ anger over Whittington chairman’s dismissal

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 26 October 2007

Narendra Makanji

BACKLASH OVER HOSPITAL SACK

Supporters’ anger over Whittington chairman’s dismissal

A STORM of protest erupted this week over the sacking of the Whittington hospital’s chairman Narendra Makanji on Wednesday.
Labour party activist Mr Makanji, 56, is being replaced after four years at the helm of the hospital with a management consultant.
MPs, local NHS supporters and a fellow member of the board were angry that Mr Makanji was being removed at a time when the hospital was beginning to improve.
The move against Mr Makanji appears to have been made by his own vice-chairman, Peter Farmer, a management consultant and former European director with Ernst & Young, in a letter sent to the London chairman of the NHS in May.
In his letter, Mr Farmer maintained that he consulted members of the 12-strong board before recommending Mr Makanji’s removal.
But one board member Doreen Henry, former head of training at the Transport and General Workers Union, last night (Thursday) said at no point had Mr Farmer directly sought her views.
Ms Henry said: “I totally disagree with Peter Farmer’s views which purport to speak on behalf of other board members.
“At no point has he directly elicited my views on the re-appointment of Mr Makanji. I therefore do not consider him as representing me in this matter.”
Mr Farmer said last night “I’m sorry, I can’t speak, you must direct all your enquiries to the press office.”
The Whittington announced that Mr Makanji’s replacement is to be Joe Liddane, a chartered accountant also formerly of Ernst & Young.
Ms Henry said: “In my experience institutionalised racism is alive and well in the system.
“Despite the fact that a high percentage of staff and patient at the Whittington are from the black minority and ethnic communities, this is not reflected in membership of the board or the senior echelons of the staff.”
All the MPs of Camden and Islington – Jeremy Corbyn, Emily Thornberry, former health secretary Frank Dobson and Glenda Jackson have spoken in support of Mr Makanji.
Professor Wendy Savage a founder member of Keep The NHS Public Campaign said Mr Makanji was a community activist and as far as she was aware had done well as chairman of the Whittington.
She added: “I think it is sad that he should be replaced by a management consultant. Anyone who has read Plundering the Public Sector by Richard Brooks and David Craig will discover just how the public sector is being ripped off by management consultants.”
George Durack chairman of the Islington Pensioners Forum summed up the mood: “Let’s face it it’s business, business business these days.
“Forget hospitals providing care – all they want to do is make a profit.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

Your Comments: