10 complaints made against rude Queen Alexandra Hospital clinical manager who reduced staff to tears

Joanne Gauntlett, a registered dentist, was investigated by the NHS and General Dental Council after 10 complaints were made against her by junior colleagues in October 2017.

A hearing was told her staff at QA Hospital 'were, on occasion, reduced to tears and suffered adverse health consequences as a result of (her) bad behaviour'.

She had previously been investigated in 2013, prior to the latest in 2017, but was told she would face no further action.

In one incident Gauntlett refused to let a staff member leave work early to collect her son.

A professional conduct committee was told Gauntlett said: 'Don’t worry about it social services will pick him up.'

Gauntlett referred to one tribunal witness and a colleague as 'Tweedledee and Tweedledum'.

She was found to have failed to treat colleagues with dignity and respect.

Gauntlett 'unreasonably and arbitrarily' reversed junior workers' decisions and judgments, and 'disproportionately' criticised junior colleagues for minor mistakes.

Four charges were proven against her overall.

She was caught 'using foul language when describing the behaviour of one particular consultant'.

The hearing was told she blamed a 'culture of swearing'.

In its ruling, the committee said: 'The committee did not consider this an excuse. In its view, Mrs Gauntlett should not have been part of such a culture.

'As a manager she should have been a role model to junior members of staff and sought to challenge swearing and the use of foul language.'

A person representing Gauntlett, who has left the hospital and is working in a dental practice, told the tribunal: 'The registrant wishes she could turn back the clock. She recognises her deficiencies and is making concerted attempts to learn from the past.

'She also recognises that her ability as a manager have been tested and she has been found wanting.'

Gauntlett resigned before an NHS disciplinary hearing could take place when the investigation ended in June 2018.

The GDC tribunal suspended her for three months.

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