Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has issued an apology following criticism for using charitable funds to host a leaving party for its former chairman. The trust applied for and spent money from its charity accounts to organize the event in December, marking the departure of Paul Devlin, who stepped down earlier this month after serving as chairman since 2020.
The trust, which provides mental health services including at Highbury Hospital in Nottingham, was previously involved in the care of Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic responsible for the fatal Nottingham attacks in June 2023 that claimed the lives of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates. This context has contributed to heightened scrutiny of the organisation’s leadership.
Chief executive Ifti Majid acknowledged the misuse of funds in communications with staff, stating, “I accept this was not a good use of charitable funds.” He further described the decision to use the money as a “mistake” in a statement to the BBC and confirmed that the £249.50 spent had been reimbursed to the charity. The trust’s charity is currently raising money to support therapies for the mother and baby unit as well as peer support initiatives for people living with dementia.
This incident has occurred amid broader challenges facing the trust. A recent Care Quality Commission report rated its leadership as needing improvement, highlighting financial difficulties including a projected deficit of £46.8 million by the 2025-26 financial year. The trust has also faced criticism following a 2024 report that families of victims in the Nottingham attacks described as revealing “gross, systemic failures.” Additionally, over 30 staff members have been suspended amidst ongoing investigations. Majid, who had originally planned to retire in October, agreed to continue in his role through the public inquiry hearings related to the attacks, leaving the trust this June. Responding to staff concerns about the party funding, he said the executive team would personally repay the full amount spent and expressed gratitude to colleagues who raised the issue, offering an apology for the frustrations caused
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.