Health worker saga at an end

Jul 3 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

Sam Wood

(0191) 201-6005

sam.wood@ncjmedia.co.uk

AMENTAL health worker who was too depressed to attend a disciplinary hearing has been sacked.

Yunus Bakhsh, of Fern Dene in Gateshead, was suspended from his job at the Hadrian Clinic, in Newcastle, more than two years ago after being accused of bullying.

He was also suspended as full-time secretary for the health union Unison’s North of Tyne branch.

Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Trust began a hearing on June 2 despite Mr Bakhsh having a letter from his GP saying that he was unfit to attend because of his illness.

And this week the 47-year-old had a note posted through his door saying he had been sacked.

Mr Bakhsh said last night that he believed he had been fired because of his union activities.

He told The Journal: “I was just shocked and angry when I saw the letter saying I’d been sacked.

“This whole process was just about getting rid of me from the start. I’ve had 23 years working in mental health with an unblemished record and then this happens. I’m lost, I’m absolutely lost.

“A lot of the accusations against me were just pure fantasy.

“There was no way I could attend the hearing and even the written updates on the situation made me more and more stressed.

“I don’t even know what most of the evidence against me was. It took them two years to get to the hearing and then they decide they can’t wait until I’m well.”

A spokesman for the Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Trust said: “We have dismissed a member of staff for inappropriate behaviour towards other trust staff.

“This is not a decision we have made easily, but one made after careful consideration and deliberation on the evidence presented to the disciplinary hearing. It is unusual for us to hear such a case without the member of staff’s attendance and contrary to their GP opinion.

“However, after careful consideration and following advice, we felt that we should go ahead with this hearing which has been pending for almost two years.

“Our policies give people the right to be represented at disciplinary hearings, even if they are unable to or choose not to attend.”

A spokesman for Unison said: “Unison represented Mr Bakhsh in his disciplinary hearing up until the time he elected to make his own arrangements. We are therefore not in a position to comment on his dismissal.

“However, Unison does not condone any form of bullying or harassment.”