Westdoc ‘open war’ with new chairman forced out after eight days in office
An “open war” has erupted within the Westdoc out-of-hours GP service, after its new chairman was forced out after just eight days in the job.
Sources within the co-operative have told the Connacht Tribune that a full-scale row has blown up over ‘top-up’ payments to Westdoc CEO Siobhán O’Sullivan and her daughter’s employment there.
However, spokespersons for the two ‘factions’ within the co-op have refused to comment.
“Grievance” complaints were made against Ms O’Sullivan linked to an alleged data breach issue (when her top-up payments were leaked by a member of staff) and over her daughter working for Westdoc.
Dr John Flaherty was appointed to a three-member committee to investigate the issues at the end of last year – at this point he was ‘Chairman-elect’ for Westdoc.
On January 1, Dr Flaherty took over as Chairman. On January 8, a vote of no confidence was proposed by Clinical Director Dr Oliver Whyte, though this became a vote of confidence on the proposal of outgoing Chairman Dr Greg Kelly.
Dr Flaherty lost the vote of confidence, effectively undermining his position as Chair – the co-op is now without a Chairman until and Emergency General Meeting can be held.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.