The chairman of Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust resigned following a tribunal finding that he, along with others, had ‘conspired to oust’ the trust’s Chief Executive Dr Susan Gilby.
Ian Haythornthwaite, who was indicted by a tribunal that found Dr Gilby unfairly dismissed last week, was described as an “inaccurate history” and a person who had not provided “credible proof”.
Haythornthwaite announced his resignation with immediate effect in a Friday, 14 February statement.
Haythornthwaite, along with three other senior hospital officials, worked on a project called ‘Project Countess.’ The goal was to remove Gilby from the post.
He also exchanged private WhatsApp messages and emails with HR director Nicola Price and non-executive Director Ken Gill. Ros Fallon was another non-executive member of the group. Gill, Price and Fallon all left the group since.
Haythornthwaite was found to have failed to disclose emails, and other correspondence that took place between the group. Judge Dawn Shotter stated that this “indicates a deliberate intent to conceal documents” which would have revealed his true role.
Judge Shotter said that it was “more than likely” that Haythornthwaite was involved in the deletion other documents relevant to her case.
The Countess of Chester Hospital is under scrutiny. There have been calls for a Corporate Manslaughter Investigation. This was the hospital where neonatal nursing Lucy Letby, who was convicted of murdering seven babies between 2015 and 2016, worked.
Dr Gilby became the chief executive officer of the trust two months after Letby’s arrest.
Haythornthwaite’s behaviour was a concern to her, despite his glowing reviews, after he was appointed as chair in 2021.
She told the court that she was subjected to a “violent verbal assault” in July 2022. He smashed his hand against the table, and “focused on what he repeatedly said was wrong with [her].
The Project Countess team treated Dr Gilby badly after she raised concerns that the tribunal deemed to be protected disclosures.
To get a payoff, she had to give up her accusations against Haythornthwaite. She was then suspended while an investigation into her misconduct took place, but no evidence was found.
Dr Gilby resigned from her position in December 2022. Her resignation confirmed a ‘Notice for Unfair Constructive Rejection’. She was denied access to her HR files despite repeated requests to do so to help build a case.
The tribunal upheld her claim for unfair constructive dismissal, and whistleblower detriment, on the basis of the fact that the treatment which forced her to resign is due to her protected disclosures.
In May, a hearing to determine her compensation will be held.
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