Apr 16 - Ellul-Hammond To Take Up New Post Once She Leaves Parliament
The GHA says it notes the speculation that has followed the announcement by Mrs Isobel Ellul-Hammond about her successful application for the post of Cancer Care Co-ordinator.
Although the GHA says it does not usually comment on matters relating to employment within the Authority, given press questions resulting from the announcement made by Mrs Ellul-Hammond, it has decided to clarify its position as follows:
1. The post of cancer Care Co-ordinator, as a part time appointment, was advertised internally in the GHA and externally in the press. There were three applicants who were interviewed by an independent, professional panel.
2. The post has been offered to Mrs Ellul-Hammond. Mrs Ellul-Hammond has accepted the appointment.
3. Given that Mrs Ellul-Hammond is presently an elected member of the Parliament, she is unable to commence her employment with the GHA immediately. The GHA and Mrs Ellul-Hammond have therefore agreed that her employment will commence only when she is no longer a member of the Parliament. Until that time, Mrs Ellul-Hammond will be Cancer Care Co-ordinator Designate. She will start the process of preparing to take up her appointment by liaising with the GHA so that she is best prepared to hit the ground running as soon as she is able to take her post.
Given an election is due this year, Mrs Ellul-Hammond has indicated to the Chairman of the Authority, Dr John Cortes, that she does not wish to cause a by-election (which could cost the tax-payer many hundreds of thousands of pounds if contested) by resigning her seat as a Member of Parliament.
The Chairman of the GHA, Dr John Cortes, said: "The GHA has offered the post of Cancer Care Co-ordinator to Isobel Ellul-Hammond because she was the best applicant for the job. She has accepted the post and rightly decided, after consulting with the Leader of the House and Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, that she does not want to put the taxpayer to the huge expense of a by-election that is unnecessary in an election year. She will therefore not take up her appointment at this stage. She will be the Cancer Care Co-ordinator Designate until then."
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