An independent review into the approach and behaviour of NHS South West in relation to the dismissal of John Watkinson by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust A report for the Chief Executive of the NHS December 2010 Authors: Lucy Scott-Moncrieff Ed Marsden © Verita 2010 Verita is an independent consultancy which specialises in conducting and managing investigations reviews and inquiries for public sector and statutory organisations. Verita 53 Frith St London W1D 4SN Telephone 020 7494 5670 Fax 020 7734 9325 Email
[email protected] Website www.verita.net 2 Contents Introduction 4 Terms of reference 7 Executive summary 8 Details of the review Approach, structure and those involved 19 Questions raised 26 Part 1 – facts and findings Brief chronology 30 Upper gastrointestinal cancer reconfiguration 42 RCHT performance 66 Bromley report and the Hawker review 96 Other matters investigated 133 Part 2 – analysis and conclusions Analysis and conclusions 151 Appendices Appendix A Secretary of State for Health‟s announcement 168 Appendix B List of interviewees 169 Appendix C Documents reviewed 170 Appendix D Review team biographies 174 3 Introduction 1.1 John Watkinson took up his post as chief executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) on 1 January 2007. The trust has a long history of financial difficulties and in 2007 was ranked by the Healthcare Commission to be the worst performing NHS organisation in the south west. In late 2007 it was one of four NHS organisations required to account for its poor performance at a meeting with Sir David Nicholson, NHS chief executive. RCHT is not a foundation trust1.