A former NHS chief executive has secured a substantial payout of £1.4 million after a tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed for raising serious concerns about the conduct of the trust's chairman.
Allegations of Bullying and a 'Red Line'
Dr Susan Gilby, who took over leadership of the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust weeks after the arrest of nurse Lucy Letby in 2018, was suspended from her post in December 2022. She subsequently initiated legal proceedings against the trust.
The employment tribunal heard that in July 2022, Dr Gilby submitted a formal grievance against the trust's then chairman, Ian Haythornthwaite. She accused him of bullying, harassment, and undermining behaviour. When settlement negotiations began as she was being ousted, she was asked to withdraw these allegations.
Dr Gilby refused, stating in an email seen by the tribunal: "The requirement that I must withdraw the allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation I made against the chairman is an absolute red line for me." She added that the treatment she and others had endured was "appalling".
Tribunal Victory and Substantial Damages
In February of last year, the employment tribunal ruled that Dr Gilby had been unfairly dismissed for raising concerns about Mr Haythornthwaite. Speaking to the BBC on Thursday 15 January 2026, Dr Gilby confirmed she had been awarded £1.4 million in damages.
She expressed relief that the case was concluded, emphasising that the action was "never about the money". Dr Gilby had led the trust through the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic following her appointment after Letby's arrest.
Broader Implications for NHS Governance
This high-value payout highlights significant issues within NHS trust governance and the treatment of whistleblowers. The Countess of Chester NHS Trust, which has been contacted for comment, now faces considerable financial and reputational consequences.
The case underscores the legal and ethical obligations for NHS leadership to address concerns raised by senior staff appropriately, without resorting to punitive measures.
