The Minister for Health and Care has expressed disappointment at the irresponsible manner in which Ms Ladislaus has dealt with answers given in parliament in relation to a meeting on conduct. The Minister has always sought dialogue with Ms Ladislaus and would have expected Ms Ladislaus to deal with any issues surrounding the most critical ward at the hospital more sensitively, rather than trying to score political points.

HM Government of Gibraltar takes the opportunity to clarify the matters raised in the GSD’s latest Press Release regarding the GHA.

The Government maintains the answer provided by the Minister for Health to Ms Ladislaus’ question was correct: the Minister has not attended a meeting on conduct. In this case, Ms Ladislaus has either been misinformed or, worse, is deliberately manipulating the sentiments of staff members.

The Government believes that the meeting Ms Ladislaus refers to, was a general meeting on the future of the CCU that was attended by over 20 individuals and was not a meeting regarding staff conduct. Ms Ladislaus should know better that a meeting on staff conduct would never be held in this manner (and attended by over 20 individuals). If she was referring to the wider meeting held, she should have put the question in a different way.

The GHA issued a detailed Press Release on Friday last week outlining the deliberate and specific steps being taken to strengthen and improve internal dispute resolution and reiterating its commitment to openness, transparency and proper procedure. It is disappointing that Ms Ladislaus has either not read it or chosen to ignore it and instead has attempted to aggravate and escalate matters where others are pursuing constructive dialogue and real solutions.

The Minister for Health, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: ‘Ms Ladislaus’ insinuation that I have provided an incorrect answer in the House is unparliamentary and she should apologise. Both the Government and the GHA remain committed to proper procedure in dispute resolution and are taking active steps to strengthen trust in the process in the future.’