Former medical director 'unlikely to work again'

Dr Ranson tells tribunal her reputation has been damaged by proceedings

The Island's former medical director says it's highly unlikely she'll work as a doctor again as a tribunal heard she's seeking a payout of up to £6.3m.

Dr Rosalind Ranson has been giving evidence to a remedy hearing following her unfair dismissal from the Department of Health and Social Care for whistleblowing.

First up, the DHSC's legal team quizzed Dr Ranson about her schedule of loss - a document she's submitted outlining the payout she believes she should receive.

Initially, the figure she suggested was £6.3m, based on plans she had to work until she's 72, as well as her hopes that she would have received a payrise to £350,000 per year following her move to Manx Care.

She believed her salary would have increased due to the larger role she'd been carrying out since moving to the Isle of Man, stating "If that's what they wanted me to work, then I should be paid accordingly".

Simon Devonshire KC, representing the department, said that figure has now been revised down - but the new total being sought by Dr Ranson is yet to be discussed at the hearing.

There was also a focus on the public perception of the case, with the DHSC claiming she had been portrayed favourably in the media, but Dr Ranson said "my reputation has been destroyed".

She went on to accuse Chief Minister Alfred Cannan of "perpetuating a false and damning narrative" against her, adding that she'd been unable to listen to his Tynwald statement on the tribunal because she was "so disappointed" in his comments.

Dr Ranson also told the hearing she'd met with Mr Cannan prior to last year's tribunal, and that he'd told her he believed her claims, but then did nothing.

She went on to allege comments made by other ministers on social media suggesting there's 'another side to the story', without explaining what that is, are damaging her reputation.

It was revealed that Dr Ranson has filed a defamation claim against Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson for comments he made in a media interview, describing his words as "creating an alternative and damaging narrative".

She also alleges those who haven't been honest during these proceedings are 'the most senior people', adding "the public and I should have been able to trust them".

The tribunal also heard how the stress of the case has negatively impacted Dr Ranson's health, and how not being in work over the last year could impact her licence to practice medicine.

Meanwhile, the DHSC presented evidence that Dr Ranson had been applying for jobs in other countries ahead of last year's tribunal, as well as details about a report from Expol, showing no concocted documents were submitted to the panel.