Trusts left leaderless after top-level conflict

Southend Community Care Services trust chief executive Mike Harrison is on extended annual leave during an independent review of the trust's mental health services.

It was prompted by a trust consultants' vote of no-confidence in him at the start of June.

And a breakdown in relations between Thameside Community Healthcare trust chief executive Patrick Geoghegan and chair John Vesey has led to both being asked to stay away from their desks.

Trade unions fear the power vacuum at the top of both organisations will affect negotiations about the formation of primary care groups and the dismantling of the internal market.

Nick Bradley, Unison's eastern regional officer, said: 'For trusts to be without a chief executive or chair at a time when big decisions are being made cannot be helpful.'

Southend consultants claim Mr Harrison, who was brought in two years ago to balance the books, has gone too far in cuts to elderly services, art therapy and in forensic services.

They also claim he introduced key changes without consultant involvement.

Consultants' committee chair Neal Killala said: 'Morale is low, many staff have left, patients have suffered.' Mr Harrison received the backing of the trust board after the vote of no confidence.

An independent report by Professor Maurice Lessof, chair of Bart's and the Royal London trust, found there was no basis for Mr Harrison to go.

But the consultants presented a further dossier of complaints.

Now an independent review will deliver a report and recommendations by the end of August.

Acting chief executive Martin Gore told HSJ that Mr Harrison would be back at work on 24 August but was not available to comment.

The 'breakdown in relations' at Thameside Community trust was sparked by concerns raised by Mr Vesey that 5,000 had been spent refurbishing a flat belonging to the chief executive.

Internal auditors investigated and, according to the trust, the expenditure was given the all- clear. The flat was being used by local GPs.

In June the executive team passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Vesey. An independent report is now being prepared for the trust on the split.

Mr Geoghegan and Mr Vesey were not available for comment.