£238k legal bill as medic is dismissed
EXTERNAL legal work involved in managing the case of a dismissed heart surgeon who is now an Uber driver cost a health board £238,000, it has been disclosed.
Peter O’Keefe was suspended by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in April 2012 following bullying allegations made by colleagues.
He was eventually sacked in August 2015.
During the whole period of his suspension he was paid his full salary of £125,000.
Mr O’Keefe was taking his case to an employment tribunal, but the health board reached a financial settlement with him before a planned full hearing took place.
At the time of the settlement he said: “It’s a bittersweet outcome for me.
“It’s an enormous relief not to have the pressure on me any more, but this has gone on so long and I can’t go back to medicine.
“I’ve tried to get work, but I’m the wrong side of 50. I came to the conclusion that the best thing was to give myself a job, so I’ve become an Uber driver, and I’m loving it.”
A health board spokesman said: “Following discussions with Mr Peter O’Keefe at the end of last week, we can confirm that he has withdrawn his claims in the employment tribunal and that those proceedings have now been dismissed by the tribunal.
“Mr O’Keefe was dismissed for gross misconduct in August 2015.
“An independent appeal subsequently found that Mr O’Keefe’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and that dismissal was the appropriate sanction.
“The settlement which has now been reached in the tribunal proceedings is on the express basis that the health board has not admitted any liability in respect of any of Mr O’Keefe’s claims.
“Instead, the settlement was reached on the basis of the saving to the health board of both legal costs and clinical/ management time which would otherwise have been incurred during the employment tribunal hearing.
“The agreed settlement figure reflects those savings and is very substantially less than the amount sought by Mr O’Keefe.
“The health board considers this to be a very satisfactory and favourable outcome, saving considerable clinical and staffing time and costs.”
Mr O’Keefe said: “I can’t comment on the cost of the external legal representation to the health board, but the whole business has been very expensive. I’m now getting on with my new life as an Uber driver, and enjoying it.”