What’s the Deal with the Deputy Director of Health Services?

Peter Allen

And from matters of health and infection to matters of internal politics…Doctor Allen has certainly seen his share of controversy and contention. Right now he’s dealing with a vacant post in the Ministry…that of Deputy Director of Health Services. In August, the Ministry announced that Doctor Marvin Manzanero had been given the position, but apparently that appointment was reversed by the Public Services Commission which wants another person in that senior post. The matter has been in limbo since August with neither side giving in.

Peter Allen, C.E.O., Ministry of Health

“Yes, the post is essentially in abeyance. It’s public knowledge of course that Doctor Morey is mentioned in one of the audit reports, particularly the one for the Southern Regional Hospital. Interviews were held with the Public Services Commission with four officers who applied for the position and members of the interview panel placed two candidates as equal first. One of those were Doctor Manzanero, the other was not Doctor Morey. Doctor Morey, however, was nominated by the Public Service Commission or was made by the Public Service Commission to be first of all appointed and then promoted. To be perfectly frank, we cannot support that decision until the outcome of the investigations into the audit report from the Auditor General in the south is clearly established. As you know, Doctor Morey received certain cheques from Miss Somerville; that’s not in dispute. So we have our concerns in that regard.”

Reporter

“But yours is not to make decision. Yours is to do as Public Service directs.”

Peter Allen

“You are absolutely right, sir.”