Hospital staff undergo training after surgeon’s ‘stockings gift’
STAFF at a prestigious hospital department have undergone training in health service values following claims a surgeon gave a junior doctor stockings with a note reading: “for Jan ward rounds”.
An internal investigation into a series of allegations, which also involved claims of nude pictures of women and innuendo, found the unit at St John’s Hospital in Livingston did not reflect the health board’s values.
It has been recommended all staff in the maxillofacial department – which operates on patients with injuries and diseases in the head and neck from across South East Scotland – go on a training session about NHS Lothian’s values.
A panel made the recommendation after reviewing an earlier internal investigation into the unit which the whistleblower felt was not thorough or fair.
She originally complained to NHS Lothian last year about the behaviour of Edward Larkin, a surgeon in the unit and an RAF squadron leader awarded an Operational Service Medal for serving as a reservist doctor in Afghanistan.
While some of her allegations were not substantiated, a health board hearing upheld the allegation: “He gave one registrar stockings at Christmas with the note ‘for Jan ward rounds’.” The stockings were pinned on a noticeboard.
A summary of the findings, leaked to The Herald, says: “There is evidence from the investigation EL included a pair of stockings as part of a gift to a female member of the surgical team in the ‘Secret Santa’ at Christmas 2014. The main gift was a madly coloured lipstick and the message behind it was for a January ward round – which is a tradition in the department where staff dress up to go round the ward in early January.”
They note the recipient of the gift had not complained and the surgeon had said “some of the issues of authority gradient” had been relaxed with a group of personnel who were “very good”.
The same hearing also upheld an allegation that a “nude female photo in an explicit pose” was placed “on his desk for all to see”.
The summary s ays: “EL conceded this photograph being on display in his office was probably inappropriate.” A Farmers’
Wives calendar, linked to the charity Help for Heroes, had also been displayed in the office but removed.
Four out of six allegations were rejected by the internal hearing and when NHS Lothian conducted a review of the investigation, the final report concluded the initial probe was sufficient.
However, it also said: “the review hearing panel accept that there appeared to be a culture within the department which is not reflective of NHS Lothian’s Values into Action. We therefore recommend that a development session is undertaken with all staff in the Maxillofacial department regarding NHS Lothian Values into Action and that staff not only adhere to but promote such values in the workplace.”
The health board’s values include being a “positive role model,” maintaining a professional attitude and appearance and demonstrating respect for dignity.
The final report says: “The review panel feel that the investigation might have been more complete if relevant witnesses could have been identified and interviewed.”
Dr David Farquharson, medical director for NHS Lothian, would not discuss individual cases.
Mr Larkin was invited to comment through NHS Lothian but no response has been received.