Second Wide Bay Hospital board member steps down

Another member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service board has resigned in the aftermath of the controversial dismissal of chief executive, Adrian Pennington.

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

A SECOND member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service board has resigned in the aftermath of the controversial dismissal of chief executive Adrian Pennington.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles’s office has confirmed it received an email from a board member on Friday resigning his position.

George Plint, who has a background in psychiatric nursing, leaves the board after two years and six months’ service.

Earlier this week, Joy Jensen also resigned after board chair Peta Jamieson dismissed Mr Pennington “effective immediately”.

Ms Jamieson released a statement wishing both Mr Plint and Ms Jensen well.

“I’m sad to see Joy and George leave the board but I respect their decisions,” she said.

“Both have made really valuable contributions, both to the board and to the community as a whole - in particular, George, through his clinical experience and expertise, and Joy, through her passionate representation of rural patients.”

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

Ms Jamieson’s decision to sack Mr Pennington has been publicly backed by her deputy, Professor Bryan Burmeister, who said it was “one genuinely made in the best interests of our health service and our community”.

Mr Pennington had served as chief executive of the Wide Bay HHS for seven years on $450,000 a year before the termination of his contract on Monday.

Since his sacking it has emerged he had a “mental health crisis” in July and criticised Ms Jamieson in a Facebook post, which was deleted in less than an hour, but has been seen by The Courier-Mail.

The Courier-Mail understands Mr Pennington, who was responsible for the running of the Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Maryborough hospitals as Wide Bay HHS chief executive, still had three years of his contract left to run.

In a statement today, Mr Miles said the decision to dismiss Mr Pennington was made by the board chair.

“The HHS has offered support, both in the past and continues to do so,” the minister said.

“As with all terminations, there are HR processes in place and available to all parties. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”

Attempts have been made to contact Mr Pennington.