THE Policy Council is investigating the suspension of a highly-paid health consultant that is believed to have cost the taxpayer more than £500,000.

Following a Guernsey Press exclusive in August, which highlighted the fact that a consultant was suspended by the Health and Social Services Department on full pay for two years after clashing with a boss, the Scrutiny Committee took up the case.

The committee questioned HSSD and the Policy Council on the handling of the matter.

It wanted to know:

• How the case reflected on States HR policies;
• Whether these policies were implemented effectively;
• Whether the case suggested areas in which policy or service delivery needed to be improved;
• Whether there had been appropriate accountability in this instance and, if not, what steps might need to be taken (and by whom) to give such assurance.

‘In respect of the last point, the Policy Council HR unit has taken responsibility for carrying out an internal investigation and will report back to the Policy Council in due course,’ a Scrutiny spokesman said.

‘The Policy Council has agreed to the committee’s request to be informed of the outcome of this review and in particular the lessons learnt; the implications for policy and future policy implementation; and any action plan for ensuring accountability and improvement.’

HSSD and the Policy Council refused to discuss the case when it came to light in August, saying they could not do so because of data protection reasons.

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