The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE removal of hospital administrator Coralie Adderley from her post at the Princess Margaret Hospital is a clear case of victimisation, according to former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

Joining FNM leader and former Health Minister Hubert Minnis in condemning Mrs Adderley’s termination, Mr Ingraham accused current Health Minister Perry Gomez of having a “personal issue” with Mrs Adderley – which he said may have contributed to the early ending to her contract.

“What is happening at the hospital with Coralie Adderley is a clear case of victimisation,” Mr Ingraham said. “Gomez has an issue with Coralie. He has a personal issue with her.”

Mr Ingraham claimed that on two prior instances Dr Gomez – who served as director of the National HIV/AIDS Programme before becoming Minister of Health – called him to report being unfairly treated.

He said: “In fact, I’d like to report that on two occasions while I was prime minister between 2007 and now, Gomez had occasion to call me to complain about what he said was happening to him that he thought was unfair and/or wrong and I on both occasions caused the matter to be resolved in his favour,” Mr Ingraham said.

“Unfortunately for Coralie, she doesn’t now have a Prime Minister who is able to review and make determinations like when I was Prime Minister.”

He continued: “She served the FNM, she served the PLP from 2003 to 2007. Dr Marcus Bethel and Dr Bernard Nottage – Ministers of Health – they had no difficulties. She served Dr Minnis – no difficulty. How is it that Gomez comes in six weeks time and he has a difficulty?

“It is personal. It is wrong. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. She’s a very good and capable officer. She’s managed the place well.”

Mr Ingraham also noted the manner in which Mrs Adderley reportedly found out about her termination and declared she has yet to be officially notified.

“Coralie up to today does not yet have a letter in her hand from the government or the PHA (Public Hospital Authority) telling her that she has been dismissed or that her contract has been terminated,” he said. “If you decided that you don’t want Coralie anymore, the least you ought to do it pay out the balance of her contract – it’s about 17 months.

“In fact the employees at the place have not yet been told by the PHA that she’s going to go. Everything that has been said about it was in the newspaper.”

According to Dr Minnis, Mrs Adderley was called by the Public Hospitals Authority last week Thursday and was informed that the government wanted to terminate her despite there being 18 months left on her contract.

“They only want to pay her one month compensation termination effective immediately,” he said. “They have nothing on her record to show she has done anything wrong. She is a Bahamian and they are talking about we believe in Bahamians.”

Dr Gomez and Mrs Adderley could not be reached for comment up to press time.