By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 16:05, Friday, 05 February 2010

A former director of north Cumbria’s hospitals is facing a disciplinary hearing over her role in a high-profile racial discrimination case.

Shirley Chipperfield

Shirley Chipperfield, who was human resources director of the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, was criticised by a tribunal judge over her conduct during a long-running series of complaints by a senior nurse.

Sarina Saiger, who is of mixed race, won her unfair dismissal case against bosses at the trust after claiming she had been the victim of a racially-motivated campaign harassment and victimisation. The former assistant director of nursing has since made a formal complaint to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR workers, about Ms Chipperfield.

Dr Saiger claims she breached their professional code of conduct for failing to properly investigate her claims of racial discrimination, notably that she was told by her boss she was the “wrong colour and culture for Cumbria”.

It is also alleged she failed to properly investigate a later complaint that Dr Saiger had been physically assaulted by the same line manager, Bruce Skilbeck. This view was upheld by the tribunal judge.

The CIPD has now confirmed that it will hold a disciplinary hearing, where a panel will determine whether Ms Chipperfield breached its Code of Professional Conduct. This is expected to take place in the coming months, once Ms Chipperfield has had a chance to respond to the claims.

The former HR director left the trust late last year following a period of leave. Since leaving the trust permanently she has been replaced as HR director by her stand-in, Damian Gallagher, and it is believed she is now living in the north east.

Similar allegations against Ms Chipperfield’s deputy, Isla Edgar, were thrown out by CIPD.

First published at 14:09, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk