Doctor suspended as MPs call for review of healthcare group

DR ZAK MCMURRAY: Suspended on full pay for a year while an ‘HR process’ continues. ONE OF the most senior doctors in Sheffield has been suspended on full pay for the last 12 months, it has emerged.

The medical director of NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Dr Zak McMurray, was paid more than £110,000 in that period despite not being actively involved in his role.

A CCG spokesman refused to comment on the reason for Dr McMurray’s suspension, but confirmed he was involved in an “ongoing HR process”. It comes amid calls from Sheffield MPs for a review into the way the CCG has been in fulfilling its role in deciding how cash is spent services.

A report, believed to have been submitted to the CCG’s board but not yet published, was demanded by politicians after they said “multiple, serious” concerns about the organisation had been raised, including complaints about management styles and allegations of favouritism.

Sheffield South-East MP Clive Betts said: “We asked for the review because concerns had been raised by so many people which clearly indicated that something needed putting right.”

He added people had also complained about the provision of healthcare services for patients with significant long-term needs, as well as what he called the “shambles” of the aborted changes to urgent care facilities.

The CCG confirmed that no new medical director had been appointed to replace Dr McMurray and that the role was unfilled.

Its accountable officer, Maddy Ruff, yesterday said that NHS England had commissioned an independent assessment of the CCG’s leadership and culture in November as part of its role as a health regulator.

“Our governing body received the report last week,” she said.

“The report from the assessor recognised NHS Sheffield CCG has a number of strengths which included being rated as ‘good’ in 2018 by NHS England for the second year running and having a good range of initiatives to improve staff health and wellbeing.

“However, there were areas which need to be improved.

“Some of the recommendations include having a more proactive strategy on the role of the CCG in Sheffield and the wider region. They found issues with continuing healthcare (CHC) processes and recommended the CCG more actively engage families in receipt of CHC funding.”

She said there was disappointment with the findings, but an improvement plan would be presented to the governing body in May along with the full report.

Mr Betts said: “I hope the review sets the CCG on the path so it can do its job for the people of Sheffield. We can’t carry on like we have been doing for the last few months.”