Stuart Welling, the chief executive of Brighton Health Care NHS Trust, waited until after Robert Gumper had retired in May, having knowledge of his impending retirement for at least six months, before firstly "reviewing the post", then "creating a job description" and, finally, five months after Mr Gumper's retirement and just 14 days before the consultation period concludes, advertising the post (The Argus, October 12).
Given that Mr Gumper and Andrew Yelland were the only two consultant surgeons working within the Nigel Porter Unit, Mr Welling has surely presided over a 50 per cent reduction in consultant surgeons for a period running into its sixth month.
He then has the audacity to say the unit could be closed down for failing to meet Government targets.
Who would Mr Welling have us believe was most responsible for this situation?
Surely his actions since last November, when it was known that Mr Gumper was to retire, have been if not negligent then at least a cruel display of bureaucratic procrastination.
Come clean, Mr Welling. Have you been working to a hidden agenda?
-Brian Chatfield, Crescent Drive North, Woodingdean
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