Adrian Pennington: CEO’s ‘mental health crisis’ before sudden sacking

A senior Queensland public hospital executive had a “mental health crisis” in the months leading up to the abrupt termination of his contract this week, as pressure mounts for an independent review into the controversial sacking to be carried out.

Former Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service chief executive officer Adrian Pennington.

A SENIOR Queensland public hospital executive had a “mental health crisis” in the months leading up to the abrupt termination of his contract this week.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Adrian Pennington was dismissed “effective immediately” by board chair Peta Jamieson on Monday in a decision which appears to have divided the local community.

Tensions have been high between Mr Pennington and Ms Jamieson since a social media post in July made at a time of great personal distress for the chief executive.

The July 18 Facebook post, which was critical of Ms Jamieson, has since been deleted, but was seen by The Courier-Mail.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services' Adrian Pennington pictured with Peta Jamieson.

“I have worked tirelessly to turn Wide Bay from the worst to the best. Good luck with questioning me daily…” the post said.

“The medical school and new hospital I planned some seven years ago. Basics of supply and demand were at the core of this. Ask any exec team member. They never thought it would happen but it will.”

THE WIDE BAY HEALTH SAGA

● Terminated: Wide Bay Health CEO Pennington suddenly sacked

● Inside scoop: Why CEO was sacked

● Pushback: Patient groups rally around sacked CEO

The Palaszczuk Government earlier this year pledged to build a new hospital in Bundaberg and a medical school campus is also planned for the region in coming years.

A close family friend has told The Courier-Mail that at the time of writing the Facebook post, Mr Pennington was dealing with marital issues, the imminent death of a colleague with a terminal illness, as well as “immense unrelenting pressure in the workplace”.

“Friends saw the post appear and within minutes are at his side, commencing first aid and calling the Queensland Ambulance Service,” the friend said. “He is immediately transported to hospital and resuscitated. The Facebook post is removed after 42 minutes.

“It was not public as his settings were set to private, however roughly two dozen Queensland Health employees are on his friends’ list.”

Former Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service chief executive officer Adrian Pennington.

A friend of Mr Pennington has called on Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles to establish an independent review into Mr Pennington’s treatment and ultimate dismissal.

Patient advocates have spoken out in favour of Mr Pennington, who had held the post for seven years, and board member Joy Jensen resigned this week in the aftermath of the dismissal.

But the board’s deputy chair Professor Bryan Burmeister has backed Ms Jamieson’s decision as “one genuinely made in the best interests of our health service and our community”.

Dozens of people rallied outside Bundaberg Hospital on Thursday afternoon in support of Mr Pennington.

In a statement last night, Ms Jamieson said she was concerned the Facebook post was made public at “what was clearly a difficult time for Adrian”.

“I am very concerned about any impacts on Adrian’s health and wellbeing and I have personally asked the HHS to provide any support Adrian may need, as I have done previously,” she said.

“Since making the post, Adrian has apologised to me in person for the comment he made ... and I accepted his apology.

“The Board is aware of the Facebook post. The post on its own was not a key factor in Adrian’s termination. The decision to terminate was very carefully considered and not made lightly.

“There are details I’m not prepared to talk about for a number of reasons, including out of respect for Adrian’s privacy.”

Attempts were also made to contact Mr Pennington.