Last year saw the appointments process for new council members of the General Dental Council. A formal, lengthy and expensive exercise carried out to appoint equal numbers of suitable lay and registrant members to Council. The interviews were centred around the ability of the candidates to understand the concept of governance based on the Nolan principle - openness, accountability, honesty, objectivity, selflessness, integrity and leadership. The final 24 members were an impressive array of varied skills and knowledge and registrants covered a wide aspect of dentistry. All boded well and although not the form of self regulation we were used to in the past it seemed as though the interests of the patients would be protected through a well informed and cohesive Council.
The loss of the last chief executive officer Duncan Rudkin could not have come at a worse time for continuity but with the appointment of Alison White as an interim CEO and with the newly-elected chair GDP Alison Lockyer it boded well for the future.
In the 12 weeks since taking on the interim role things have changed dramatically under Alison White. Of the four directors in the GDC three have been removed. Other key members of staff have also been made redundant. The last meeting of Council saw a four hour session held in camera with tight lipped members of council keeping ‘schtumm’. The latest development in this whirlwind list of executions is the resignation of Suzanne Cosgrave as chairman of the finance committee. She was a thoughtful member of council, experienced capable and perceptive who sent an open letter of resignation to the Privy Council and chair of Council Alison Lockyer. She said: ‘The latest developments also include a number of changes to the structure in the GDC’s finance and HR functions all of which I would contend properly fall within the remit of the finance and HR committee. There has not been any notification to the committee generally, or me as a chairman, of the timetable nor indeed the changes being implemented.’
She goes on to say that she feels that as a member of Council she has little or no opportunity for scrutiny of the proper functioning of the organisation.
Such autocratic behaviour does not reflect the true Nolan principles. If there is this alleged lack of communication between the interim CEO and the chair and Council then it would appear that any form of informed regulation is compromised. Does this reflect back on the last CEO and president - or do the problems lie with the precipitate, unconsulted action of the interim CEO?
What will be next in this purge? Surely not the jewel in the crown of the GDC - the Dental Complaints Service? This outstanding example of complaints handling - praised by the CHRE and respected by patients, registrants and even the indemnity organisations as being fair, fast but firm - surely can’t escape?
Secrecy breeds rumours and discontent. Seemingly hasty decisions by an interim CEO a few weeks into a job are at least alarming and at worst could be seen to be a way of ensuring a permanent appointment. Where are the Nolan principles at the GDC? Are the interim CEO and new chair above these? Some members of Council are very worried and it is up to the two at the top to be more open. Inform Council and thus the registrants (who after all do pay for them) whilst ensuring that the overall principle of protection of the patient is paramount. The consequences for you the registrant? You can bet your bottom dollar that there will be a significant hike in the ARF.