image caption,
A heavily redacted research report has been published.
Article Information Author, Rebecca Brahde Role, BBC News, Isle of Man
1 hour ago
A dispute between the health board and the Minister of Health and Human Services over its powers could deter people from seeking future public roles, several current and former board members said.
A report on an independent inquiry was published on Monday, clearing Rory Hooper of bullying allegations after a “tough” meeting with the Health Service Advisory Committee.
A complaint was also lodged against Tanya August Hanson MLC over a “heated exchange” during the same meeting and comments made by Mr Hooper at Key House on October 31.
In an open letter, eight past and present committee members said the complaint and its fallout could have been “avoided” if the minister had adopted a more “mature” and “professional” approach. He said there is.
“Serious crime”
The letter said the minister's “awareness” that the talks could be handled differently would have been enough to resume “constructive dialogue”.
The inquiry said Mr Hooper was “not wrong” to accuse the HSCC of “lying” in his report when answering questions in the House of Commons in October, but the committee said: “The public record The reason for this was that he was branded a “liar.'' “This is a serious crime,” he told the signatories.
Hooper declined an offer to “discuss the details of the issues” in the annual report, the letter continued.
New regulations to streamline the HSCC's operations were supported by Mr Tynwald in October, but some commissioners said the changes would “reduce their role to a basic level of oversight”.
It said it could lead to “disenfranchisement” of the committee and “significantly reduce the likelihood” of recruiting members.
The open letter was signed by former members Annette Baker, Andrew Cole, Sue Going, Mike Johnson, Louise Strickett and Judy Thornley, and current members Margaret Simpson and Carol Burnford.
The letter states that six of the nine commissioners, including the longest-serving member, have resigned in the past three months, and that some have had a history of “adverse effects” on their mental health. he added.
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