Former NHS chief who worked at same hospital trust as Lucy Letby wins £1 million payout
Following a successful unfair dismissal claim, the former chief executive of an NHS trust, Dr. Susan Gilby was ordered to pay compensation of more than £1 million.
Dr Gilby took legal action against the Countess of Chester NHS Trust following his dismissal in December 2022.
He accused the foundation’s chairman, Ian Haythornthwaite, of bullying and harassment.
Dr Gilby took over the Countess of Chester NHS Trust, where child serial killer Lucy Letby worked, weeks after Letby’s arrest in 2018, and then led the organization through the pandemic.
Last February an employment tribunal suspended Dr Dr for voicing concerns about the foundation’s then-chairman. It ruled that Gilby had been unfairly dismissed because he was fired from his job.
He told the BBC on Thursday that he had been awarded £1.4 million in compensation, adding that he was relieved the case was over and that it was “never about the money”.
The tribunal heard the former CEO lodged a complaint against Mr Haythornthwaite in July 2022 for bullying, harassment and “debilitating behaviour”.
While he was being dismissed, he started reconciliation talks with the foundation, but said he had to withdraw his allegations.
In an email seen by the court, Dr. “The obligation to retract my allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation against the President is an absolute red line for me,” Gilby wrote.
“If that means there can’t be a compromise agreement, so be it. The treatment I and others have been subjected to by the president is appalling.”
The Countess of Chester NHS Trust has been contacted for comment.
