James McAuliffe Director Of Finance South West London Strategic Health Authority
(Latest updates in red)
Jim McAuliffe the Director of Finance at the Strategic Health Authority was the person who reported to Ian Hamilton that I had embarrassed Richard Douglas at the London Director's of Finance Conference that was held in July 2002, when I pointed out the problems associated with the Government's new proposals for the funding the NHS hospitals and Foundation Trust's in particular. Mr McAuliffe did not suggest what I had said, was incorrect he simply insinuated to Ian Hamilton, that it would not be in the long term interests of either St George's or the South West London local health economy for the St George's Finance Director to be raising problems with senior figures in the NHS. This is exactly how the culture of "Silent Pressure" works within the NHS. Raise an issue that needs dealing with and if it is considered that it might be an issue that would be considered awkward for ministers, you will be subjected to behind the back innuendo about not being a "team player". You will not be challenged on what you said, but will like me be told that you are not a corporate player. Of course the issues that I raised with Richard Douglas in July 2002 have belatedly been accepted by the NHS as being completely correct and if you click here you can read the e-mail I received in January 2004 from James Robertson of the National Audit Office which confirms this to be the case.
Another example of this pressure was apparent when I attended a local Finance Director's meeting on the 17th June which Jim McAuliffe chaired. At the meeting he asked each of the finance directors present, to explain what the financial position was at their individual Trusts, Mr McAullife having the responsibility for informing the London Directorate of Health & Social Care as to the total financial position in South West London. The Director of Finance at Kingston NHS Trust went first and painted a fairly gloomy picture of Kingston's financial position. As soon as he had finished speaking Jim McAuliffe told everyone present, "That this is not a willy measuring contest. There are no prizes for having a bigger one than Kingston's". This is another example of how the "Silent Pressure" works within the NHS. No sensible debate, just bullying and intimidation designed to prevent you from passing bad news up the line.