Re: Medical director of Cornwall trust is first to be struck off for management failings
Reply to David Levine
Levine now says (27 October), “asked Jay llangaratne simply to consider that the lessons to be learned in this particular case might not involve those very specific personal biases he mentioned”. In fact, there is ample evidence to suggest that “collegiate loyalty and/or personal biases” which I mentioned originally were the driving force for Pitcher’s grossly unsafe decisions; in particular, please note that [1], “he inexplicably accepted Mr Jones' account of some of the concerns”, “ignored the recommendation of the Pickup Report”, and “appeared to attach some weight to how 'charming' Mr Jones was”. Hence, Levine’s latest view that “might not involve those very specific personal biases” that I mentioned, is an unsustainable and misconceived one. Of course, it is reasonably clear that Mr Jones is not from a BME background either.
In fact, on 25 October, Levine said, “I would respectfully ask that Jay llangaratne, or others who might want to speculate, are first sufficiently informed”; however, such remark has not stifled further discussion about Pitcher’s misconduct or the significance of the MPTS’s decision. Further, it is not necessary to “speculate” as I have already highlighted the evidence [1] which support my original view. Having considered the available evidence, I do now believe, Pitcher deserves the sanction that has been meted out and confident, I am not the only one who is pleased with this decision. It is now plain that one cannot abrogate personal responsibility even if such (alleged) “governance” failures existed at the time.
Rapid Response:
Re: Medical director of Cornwall trust is first to be struck off for management failings
Reply to David Levine
Levine now says (27 October), “asked Jay llangaratne simply to consider that the lessons to be learned in this particular case might not involve those very specific personal biases he mentioned”. In fact, there is ample evidence to suggest that “collegiate loyalty and/or personal biases” which I mentioned originally were the driving force for Pitcher’s grossly unsafe decisions; in particular, please note that [1], “he inexplicably accepted Mr Jones' account of some of the concerns”, “ignored the recommendation of the Pickup Report”, and “appeared to attach some weight to how 'charming' Mr Jones was”. Hence, Levine’s latest view that “might not involve those very specific personal biases” that I mentioned, is an unsustainable and misconceived one. Of course, it is reasonably clear that Mr Jones is not from a BME background either.
In fact, on 25 October, Levine said, “I would respectfully ask that Jay llangaratne, or others who might want to speculate, are first sufficiently informed”; however, such remark has not stifled further discussion about Pitcher’s misconduct or the significance of the MPTS’s decision. Further, it is not necessary to “speculate” as I have already highlighted the evidence [1] which support my original view. Having considered the available evidence, I do now believe, Pitcher deserves the sanction that has been meted out and confident, I am not the only one who is pleased with this decision. It is now plain that one cannot abrogate personal responsibility even if such (alleged) “governance” failures existed at the time.
References
[1]http://www.westbriton.co.uk/former-royal-cornwall-hospital-medical-direc...
Competing interests: No competing interests