THE Health Minister should be able to work with people with “all sorts of styles”, his predecessor in the role has said.
Deputy Karen Wilson made the comments after “differences in style” between Health Minister Tom Binet and former Health Advisory Board chair Tom Hayhoe were blamed for the latter’s sudden departure.
Mr Hayhoe was in the position for five weeks but last week stepped down by “mutual agreement” with Deputy Binet.
Deputy Wilson – who served as Health Minister under Deputy Kristina Moore before Deputy Moore was ousted in a vote of no confidence brought by Deputy Binet – said she was “very concerned” about Mr Hayhoe’s departure.
The announcement of Mr Hayhoe’s departure came days after he told Advisory Board members that he wanted to turn the Health Department into a “world-class health service”.
Deputy Wilson said: “Deputy Binet talks a lot about transparency, he’s made a point of his openness. But he’s been very guarded.
“It is about time that we all know what this encounter was about and why it happened the way that it has.”
She added that she had sympathy for the “complicated” portfolio managed by the Health Minister – but added that “there is no time for any complacency”.
Deputy Wilson questioned whether a simple difference in working styles – the reason given by Deputy Binet for the decision – was enough reason for them to part ways.
A departure with immediate effect, she pointed out, was rare and “not a gentle parting of the ways”.
She said: “The nature of the board is they are there to talk about uncomfortable truths.
“The minister has got to be able to listen to all sorts of views and different opinions, and work with those.”
Mr Hayhoe said previously that he was “disappointed” not to be able to continue the work he started “to improve the culture, raise staff morale and address the very big concerns around patient safety and the care that is delivered on the Island”.
Mr Hayhoe has more than 35 years’ experience in health leadership, including being chair of West London NHS Trust and West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.
