THE boss of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) has denied that a sacked doctor was whistleblowing, an employment tribunal heard.
Alex Whitfield, chief executive of HHFT, also rejected a claim that consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Martyn Pitman’s dismissal was a “mapped out plan” to keep him quiet.
Mr Pitman, from South Wonston, was fired earlier this year from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) in Winchester where he had worked in his role for 20 years.
At the employment tribunal, at Southampton Magistrates Court, he is claiming that he suffered a detriment after whistleblowing safety concerns due to a lack of staff and low morale in the midwifery department.
READ MORE: Chief medical officer says breakdown in doctor's relations caused ‘unacceptable risk’
Ms Whitfield was cross-examined by Mr Pitman’s lawyer Jack Mitchell in the second week of the hearing.
The chief executive, who was appointed in 2016, told the tribunal that she did not believe Mr Pitman was whistleblowing.
Three weeks before Ms Whitfield was copied in on an email from Mr Pitman, addressed to chief medical officer Dr Lara Alloway, Mr Pitman had used the formal whistleblowing process for a different issue in Andover.
Ms Whitfield said: "This letter was very clearly Mr Pitman saying he was whistleblowing he then writes another letter which isn't headed 'I'm whistleblowing' so I'm not even sure he knew he was whistleblowing."
When questioned over why she initially applauded the consultant for raising concerns, Ms Whitfield said: "I encourage colleagues to raise concerns.
“He had submitted formal whistleblowing concerns at Andover. We need people to speak if they're anxious about something.
"To provide high support, high challenge is needed. You don't want people who will agree with you all the time but people who will challenge you in a respectful way."
SEE ALSO: Live updates as employment tribunal continues for sacked doctor
Throughout the cross-examination Mr Mitchell continued to suggest that the whole process was a ploy to get Mr Pitman fired.
Ms Whitfield said: "I have done an awful lot of listening in the past four years. I'm very sad we are here today and in this position.
"Throughout all of this, I have been trying to get him back to work. We need obstetricians, they are very important people for mums and babies.
“The evidence was building over a number of months from a number of individuals about the impact his behaviour was having on team relationships.
“That was the evidence that precipitated the investigation, not whistleblowing, it was genuine concerns over the impact on others."
READ ALSO: Martyn Pitman denies NHS trust's allegations of bullying at tribunal
The tribunal heard that human resources (HR) director Catherine Hope-MacLellan suggested a "settlement" to Mr Pitman due to him being very "distressed" and in a "difficult place" following the investigation into his behaviour.
Mr Mitchell questioned whether Ms Hope-MacLellan had the authority to make such an offer.
Ms Whitfield said: "She couldn't have made an offer of settlement but she was our most senior HR person. She had the authority to have a conversation which is what she did.
"She can’t make a commitment or a verbal offer with value. She can't make any offers that she is guaranteeing will happen.
"It was very clear Mr Pitman was very distressed and in a very difficult place. He made it clear that he would not be interested in any offer."
The hearing is scheduled to finish on Friday, October 6.
A separate claim of unfair dismissal will be addressed at a new hearing at a later date.
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