THE suspended chief executive of Queensland’s largest health service may have had previous links in the UK with the managing director of a company at the centre of nepotism claims involving the CEO’s daughter.
Queensland’s corruption watchdog is investigating Metro North Health CEO Malcolm Stamp and the executive director of corporate services and performance, Scott McMullen, about a contract awarded to Healthcare Procurement Partners.
The contract allegedly included incentives to hire Mr Stamp’s daughter, Katy, a graphic designer.
There is no suggestion Katy Stamp lacked the skills necessary for the position.
Healthcare PP’s managing director Dan Williams previously worked as a project manager for procurement specialists INVERTO at the same time that Mr Stamp was chief executive of the Mid Essex National Health Service Trust in the UK.
Documents reveal INVERTO was involved in “Project Spotlight” during Mr Stamp’s time with the Mid Essex NHS Trust.
The documents contain a testimonial from Mr Stamp about Project Spotlight saying it had “delivered a significant contribution to our cost improvement target”.
It is not clear from the documents whether Mr Williams worked on Project Spotlight and he did not respond to questions yesterday about whether he had worked with Mr Stamp in the UK.
Mr Williams has told The Courier-Mail he is awaiting clarification of the allegations involving Healthcare PP.
“HPP is co-operating with the board’s requests for help with its investigation and currently awaits clarification of the allegations and scope of the investigation and if it concerns HPP,” he said. “With respect for that process, I can’t comment further about the investigation at this point in time.”
Mr Williams said Healthcare PP had worked with Metro North Health since September 2013, had delivered cost savings of $7.5 million and was on track to cut costs a further $8 million by 2015.
Mr Stamp and Mr McMullen have been suspended on full pay while the Crime and Corruption Commission investigates.
The Courier-Mail understands Mr Stamp and Mr McMullen are denying all allegations of impropriety and are looking forward to the chance to clear their names.
Metro North and the Crime and Corruption Commission have both refused to comment about the specifics of the allegations under investigation.
Source: Courier Mail