Whistleblower slams St George's timing

A new director of finance is due to be appointed at St George's Healthcare trust this week as former finance director Ian Perkins waits to hear whether he has won his case of unfair dismissal against the trust.

Mr Perkins, judgement on whose case has already been twice delayed, has been assured that a decision will be announced before the end of this month. He says he has been told by the trust that a new finance director will be appointed by the end of January.

The industrial tribunal case was heard last April.Mr Perkins claims he was sacked because of his 'whistleblowing' over waiting-list figures. Mr Perkins said: 'They have had an acting finance director [Kevin Harbottle] for 18 months, so I do not know why they've taken this decision now.

'The fact they have taken this decision before the tribunal result is known shows there is no support for whistleblowers in the NHS.'

A trust spokesperson confirmed the appointment process was 'ongoing'. Asked why an appointment was being made while the tribunal verdict was outstanding, he said: 'We need to proceed for operational reasons - we face some very serious financial challenges.'