New Friends

 As DZ came up to retirement, he wondered if he would find himself at a loose end. Twiddling his thumbs with nothing to do, and getting under Mrs DZ feet all day.

But I needn't have worried. I've found myself busier than I thought possible, and have a never ending to do list. 

One of the things I've found an interest in is my long neglected garden, now transformed beyond recognition, and as I've spent more and more time out there I've found a new friend. he appears almost every time I'm out there with a spade in my hand, keeping me company.

Meet my new gardening buddy.

Death

 Earlier this year DZ lost his older brother. His death was sudden and unexpected. He was a strong, fit man and his passing was a huge shock. Though it is now several months since, I still find this hard to write. I was lucky in that we maintained contact through our entire lives.

I have many fond memories of the shit we used to get up to as kids. Our relationship is perhaps well summed up in this picture.

Being two years older than me he, to a certain extent, looked after me, and I looked up to him and I miss him hugely and the laughs we had until just a few weeks before he died. 

My Brother and me, circa 1958.

Villain

There is no doubt that bullying and harassment of NHS Staff is still rife, in every role and at every level of seniority despite various initiatives intended to address the issue. It even affects those in management as this case shows. And what this, relatively recent case, also illustrates is just how corrupt, dishonest and mendacious some senior management can be. 

At an employment Tribunal hearing a former employee of  Norfolk and Waveny Clinical Commissioning Group sought redress for unfair dismissal. The case revolved around a grievance document  prepared by a CCG employee, Steve Stavrinou. Despite Mr Stavrinou being present in court he kept quiet when the Judge was told that the document didn't exist.

But Mr Stavrinou is not the real villain of this piece. He was probably under instruction. His actions however attracted a comment from the Judge that "Mr Stavrinou is a man who finds the truth an alien concept,"

This is John Webster, Director of Strategic Commissioning at the CCG, described by the Judge as "disingenuous and unconvincing". Webster lied about the document, and then allegedly had it altered, prompting the Judge to state "Clearly, there had been a conspiracy all along going on behind the scenes,"

As if this catalogue of mendacity and dishonesty were not enough the CCG even tried to have the Judge removed once it became clear which way the wind was blowing.

The Judge has called for a full investigation and for guilty individuals to be disciplined. But Webster isn't hanging around. He's jumping before he gets pushed. Which means he'll be looking for a new job. And I have no doubt, in today's NHS he will find one. Coming to a hospital near you soon?