The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Board has recommended that Matron Collene Hicks be sent on administrative leave to facilitate a probe into allegations against her.
Chairman of the GPHC Board Dr. Max Hanoman told a press conference yesterday that anything that affects patient care will have to be addressed.
Hanoman pointed out that the hospital appears to have a crisis between the doctors and nurses and it has been recommended that the matron be placed on administrative leave, with full benefits, so that a full investigation could be launched into the basis of the claims.
“Remember the Chairman of the board has no authority to send anyone home. The functions of the hospital and those actions rest with the CEO [Allan Johnson],” Hanoman said, while emphasising that the board is an independent body and will always act in the best interest of the hospital.
Hanoman explained that the matron is aware of the recommendation that has been made and had asked about the reasons behind it. “I spoke to her at the meeting and she said she was going on leave and I asked her if she would be averse to going on administrative leave and she wanted to know the reasons. Of course anybody would want to know. There are factions that support her and those that don’t and we cannot look at factions we have to look at patient care and anything that affects patient care will have to be looked at,” he said.
Hanoman explained that when the board had a meeting, it had requested an update from Johnson and he had stated that he had written to the matron several times and she had refused to follow the instructions. He said if the CEO reports to the board that someone is not following instructions, then the board is responsible for looking into it. “Let’s not be rash. Let’s investigate the reasons for this and only then can we come to a solution,” he said.
The matron being involved in issues with the hospital is nothing new as there were issues between her and the previous CEO and Hanoman explained that he does not know if the issues have rolled over to the new administration. “I understand that the previous CEO sent the matron home. Who brought her back and why was she sent home? I would like to know,” he said.
There has also been a petition for Hicks’ removal that garnered over 150 signatures.
Hanoman emphasised that even if the matron is sent on an administrative leave, it does not mean that her services would be terminated, and such a decision will only come about if the results of the investigation warrants a termination.
Hanoman explained that the administrative leave can only begin when an independent body has been formed to take on the investigation. “You just don’t send somebody on administrative leave,” he added.
Asked who would serve in Hicks’ place if she is sent on administrative leave, Hanoman explained that there are many other suitable persons who can fill the position.
