Belfast Trust Chairman: Sacking a Scapegoat?

Ciaran Mulgrew, the former chair of the Belfast Trust, has publicly stated his belief that his dismissal was unjust, alleging he was made a "scapegoat" by the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt. Nesbitt had announced Mulgrew's removal in July, citing the need for a fresh start at the Trust.

Mulgrew contends that the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Mike Farrar, privately expressed disagreement with the Minister's decision. According to Mulgrew, Farrar advised against the dismissal, characterizing it as a politically motivated move by the Minister who felt uncomfortable facing scrutiny before the Health Committee.

In response to Mulgrew's claims, Minister Nesbitt stated he would not engage in a "war of words," but asserted that Mulgrew's statements contained inaccuracies.

Mulgrew issued a statement defending his record and challenging the fairness of his dismissal. "I am quite happy to be judged on the things that I have done, but I will not allow unfairness or inequity to go unchallenged, and no one, including me, should be kicked around for political convenience or be scapegoated by anyone," he declared. He also emphasized the honor it had been to serve at the Trust.

He acknowledged the inherent challenges within large organizations, stating, "The Belfast Trust was no exception to any large complex organization, which will have difficulties." Mulgrew further maintained that he consistently addressed problems identified within the Trust and kept the Department of Health fully informed, ensuring transparency with all staff. "I believe that anyone in a position of leadership has a responsibility to do something to address problems when they are identified," he stated. "I never avoided any problems in the Belfast Trust and worked to address every issue that arose. At all times I kept the Department of Health fully informed on each issue, and I was open and transparent with all staff."

Mulgrew's tenure as chair of the Belfast Trust began in April 2023.

The Belfast Trust has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including:

• Building Delays: Several construction projects have experienced significant delays.
• Overspends: The Trust has struggled with budget overruns on various projects.
• Repairs: Addressing ongoing maintenance and repair needs has been a persistent issue.
• Cultural Issues: More recently, cultural problems within the Royal Victoria Hospital's cardiac surgery unit led to the implementation of additional oversight measures.

Minister Nesbitt, in his statement, reiterated his public appreciation for Mulgrew's contributions. He acknowledged the complexities of managing the Belfast Trust. "As Health Minister, I need to have confidence in those in charge of the organization," he stated. He further added, "It is also the case that events can conspire against individuals, however well-intentioned, and can make their position untenable."

Nesbitt explained that his decision to remove Mulgrew was made after serious consideration of the current problems facing the Trust. He concluded that a fresh start, with both a new chair and a new chief executive, was necessary for the benefit of the organization, its staff, and the patients it serves.

Following Mulgrew's dismissal, Diane Dodds, the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) health spokesperson, described his departure as "a testament to the sheer scale of crisis within the Belfast Trust." Dodds acknowledged the recent scandals but noted that many of the underlying issues predated Mulgrew's appointment.

Dodds further asserted that the problems within the Belfast Trust are systemic and cannot be resolved by simply removing one individual. "There is a wider systemic problem within the Belfast Trust that will not be resolved by simply removing one individual," she stated. This suggests a need for broader reforms and a more comprehensive approach to address the challenges facing the Trust.