Dismissal at London HEMS
Thread Starter
I was not aware of the Essex Connection until now.
I am aware that the Charity Commission web site shows that one of the Virgin HEMS Trustees [The Chairman] has links to another Charity [1126752]. That is a newborn so the detail is sparse.
The same individual took part in the rule making for the AAA. That is to be found on the AAA website as a download called 'Framework'
The Association of Air Ambulances in the UK
It is suggested that some aspects of that very framework are apparently being flouted but these are 'only' guidlines providing 'examples of good practice to which Air Ambulance Services can aspire' so even if they are being abused that is not necessarily illegal. HEMS has been around for a lot longer than the Framework so it can rightly be said that it takes time to readjust old bad habits.
What may be at issue is likely to boil down to a minimum of Charity law. Whether it goes further than that remains to be seen.
I am aware that the Charity Commission web site shows that one of the Virgin HEMS Trustees [The Chairman] has links to another Charity [1126752]. That is a newborn so the detail is sparse.
The same individual took part in the rule making for the AAA. That is to be found on the AAA website as a download called 'Framework'
The Association of Air Ambulances in the UK
It is suggested that some aspects of that very framework are apparently being flouted but these are 'only' guidlines providing 'examples of good practice to which Air Ambulance Services can aspire' so even if they are being abused that is not necessarily illegal. HEMS has been around for a lot longer than the Framework so it can rightly be said that it takes time to readjust old bad habits.
What may be at issue is likely to boil down to a minimum of Charity law. Whether it goes further than that remains to be seen.
Last edited by PANews; 23rd Nov 2009 at 15:46. Reason: PM highlighted error in script layout... extra para!!
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I'm with Epiphany here - it is time their dirty washing was aired - there is a lot more dirt under the surface than anyone can ever believe possible....however I will lay money that Mr. Philpot will be gagged by a solicitor before the week is out - just as many others have been in the past that have tried to reveal just exactly what is going on.
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...... it is time their dirty washing was aired .........
...... there is a lot more dirt under the surface.......
...... I will lay money that Mr. Philpot will be gagged by a solicitor before the week is out .....
...... there is a lot more dirt under the surface.......
...... I will lay money that Mr. Philpot will be gagged by a solicitor before the week is out .....
Thread Starter
Although I have continued to fail to get a reaction from either London HEMS, Virgin or the Charity Commission it seems that someone got a squeak out of two of them.
London's Air Ambulance chief executive sacked by trustees - Third Sector
That is not that my E-mail has been 'quiet'... the allegations continue to flow from a variety of sources... but so far no-one who knows anything first hand is prepared to stand up and be counted - let alone quote, day date time place.
There is also a link at Civil Society - Welcome
London's Air Ambulance chief executive sacked by trustees - Third Sector
London's Air Ambulance chief executive sacked by trustees
By Kate Youde, Third Sector Online, 25 November 2009
Charity is investigating allegations of malpractice made by David Philpott
The board of London's Air Ambulance has sacked its chief executive, who was investigating allegations of malpractice at the charity, after only 12 weeks in the job.
David Philpott, who was escorted off the charity's premises by trustees on 17 November, was looking into written and verbal allegations made by "trustees, staff and the wider community", he said.
Philpott said he was planning to take the charity to an employment tribunal on the grounds of wrongful dismissal.
A spokeswoman for London's Air Ambulance, which is also known as Virgin Hems London, confirmed that the trustee board had terminated Philpott's contract "under the terms of his probationary period".
"The board of trustees is aware of various issues which Mr Philpott has raised during the course of his employment and is taking appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate those matters to ensure the trust's continued adherence to best principles of governance," she said.
"In light of the need to observe procedural fairness, no further comment will be made until the conclusion of this investigation."
Former chief executive Andrew Cameron will act as interim head of the organisation until a replacement is appointed.
A spokeswoman for the Charity Commission said concerns had been raised with the regulator and it was assessing what further action might be required.
Philpott, who was previously chief executive of Kent Air Ambulance for six years, said he had been "overwhelmed by the messages of support from so many friends and colleagues" since his dismissal.
By Kate Youde, Third Sector Online, 25 November 2009
Charity is investigating allegations of malpractice made by David Philpott
The board of London's Air Ambulance has sacked its chief executive, who was investigating allegations of malpractice at the charity, after only 12 weeks in the job.
David Philpott, who was escorted off the charity's premises by trustees on 17 November, was looking into written and verbal allegations made by "trustees, staff and the wider community", he said.
Philpott said he was planning to take the charity to an employment tribunal on the grounds of wrongful dismissal.
A spokeswoman for London's Air Ambulance, which is also known as Virgin Hems London, confirmed that the trustee board had terminated Philpott's contract "under the terms of his probationary period".
"The board of trustees is aware of various issues which Mr Philpott has raised during the course of his employment and is taking appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate those matters to ensure the trust's continued adherence to best principles of governance," she said.
"In light of the need to observe procedural fairness, no further comment will be made until the conclusion of this investigation."
Former chief executive Andrew Cameron will act as interim head of the organisation until a replacement is appointed.
A spokeswoman for the Charity Commission said concerns had been raised with the regulator and it was assessing what further action might be required.
Philpott, who was previously chief executive of Kent Air Ambulance for six years, said he had been "overwhelmed by the messages of support from so many friends and colleagues" since his dismissal.
There is also a link at Civil Society - Welcome
Prominent CEO sacked while investigating trustees
Tania Mason | 25 Nov 2009
David Philpott, chief executive of the London Air Ambulance charity, has been sacked as he was investigating allegations about conflicts of interest and misuse of funds against some of the trustees.
Philpott (pictured), a prominent member of the Air Ambulance community who has also been chief executive of the Essex and Kent HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) charities, returned to work after a week’s holiday last Tuesday to be handed a letter of dismissal by three of the trustees.
He was told to leave his office immediately and was not allowed any time to clear his personal possessions. He was then marched off the premises by a security guard. He had been working for the London charity - whose formal name is Virgin HEMS (London) - for 12 weeks after being headhunted from Kent Air Ambulance Trust.
He said the letter contained no reason for his dismissal.
Philpott told Civil Society that at the time of his dismissal, he had been investigating seven separate verbal and written allegations against certain members of the board. The allegations had been made by other trustees, staff and the wider community, he said.
Because he was escorted from the premises he was unable to take his evidence files with him and does not know what has happened to these.
But he also stressed that the allegations are still unproven, and with no concrete evidence yet to prove their validity, he would not name the trustees in question.
The week before Philpott was sacked, he had submitted a paper to the trustees that made clear that, owing to a lack of proper financial controls, the charity was living beyond its means and trading while technically insolvent. This meant there were serious doubts about whether London’s Air Ambulance could afford a replacement helicopter when the current lease expires in 2011.
Trustees' response
In response, the charity issued a statement saying its trustee board is "investigating matters arising out of Mr Philpott’s period of employment with the Trust which caused us concern at that time and which continue to cause concern.
"In light of the need to observe procedural fairness, no further comment will be made until the conclusion of this investigation."
Andrew Cameron, former chief executive, will act as interim CEO until a replacement has been appointed.
The board added that it was aware of various issues raised by Philpott during the course of his employment "and is taking appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate those matters to ensure the Trust’s continued adherence to best principles of governance".
A Charity Commission spokeswoman confirmed that "concerns have been raised and we’re currently assessing what further action may be required of us”.
Philpott said he would sue Virgin HEMS London for wrongful dismissal.
During Philpott’s six-year tenure at Kent Air Ambulance Trust, he overhauled the charity’s finances, promoted the deployment of specialist on-board medics and launched new services into Sussex and Surrey. When he resigned, Trust chairman Tony Monteuuis paid tribute to his “creative vision” and said: “The board has always been very happy to run with him on issues relating to expenditure and new ventures because his logic was clear and he had a sound view of where we should be heading.”
Philpott was also the founding chairman of the Association of Air Ambulance Charities, a post he held for three years.
Tania Mason | 25 Nov 2009
David Philpott, chief executive of the London Air Ambulance charity, has been sacked as he was investigating allegations about conflicts of interest and misuse of funds against some of the trustees.
Philpott (pictured), a prominent member of the Air Ambulance community who has also been chief executive of the Essex and Kent HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) charities, returned to work after a week’s holiday last Tuesday to be handed a letter of dismissal by three of the trustees.
He was told to leave his office immediately and was not allowed any time to clear his personal possessions. He was then marched off the premises by a security guard. He had been working for the London charity - whose formal name is Virgin HEMS (London) - for 12 weeks after being headhunted from Kent Air Ambulance Trust.
He said the letter contained no reason for his dismissal.
Philpott told Civil Society that at the time of his dismissal, he had been investigating seven separate verbal and written allegations against certain members of the board. The allegations had been made by other trustees, staff and the wider community, he said.
Because he was escorted from the premises he was unable to take his evidence files with him and does not know what has happened to these.
But he also stressed that the allegations are still unproven, and with no concrete evidence yet to prove their validity, he would not name the trustees in question.
The week before Philpott was sacked, he had submitted a paper to the trustees that made clear that, owing to a lack of proper financial controls, the charity was living beyond its means and trading while technically insolvent. This meant there were serious doubts about whether London’s Air Ambulance could afford a replacement helicopter when the current lease expires in 2011.
Trustees' response
In response, the charity issued a statement saying its trustee board is "investigating matters arising out of Mr Philpott’s period of employment with the Trust which caused us concern at that time and which continue to cause concern.
"In light of the need to observe procedural fairness, no further comment will be made until the conclusion of this investigation."
Andrew Cameron, former chief executive, will act as interim CEO until a replacement has been appointed.
The board added that it was aware of various issues raised by Philpott during the course of his employment "and is taking appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate those matters to ensure the Trust’s continued adherence to best principles of governance".
A Charity Commission spokeswoman confirmed that "concerns have been raised and we’re currently assessing what further action may be required of us”.
Philpott said he would sue Virgin HEMS London for wrongful dismissal.
During Philpott’s six-year tenure at Kent Air Ambulance Trust, he overhauled the charity’s finances, promoted the deployment of specialist on-board medics and launched new services into Sussex and Surrey. When he resigned, Trust chairman Tony Monteuuis paid tribute to his “creative vision” and said: “The board has always been very happy to run with him on issues relating to expenditure and new ventures because his logic was clear and he had a sound view of where we should be heading.”
Philpott was also the founding chairman of the Association of Air Ambulance Charities, a post he held for three years.
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It has been rumoured for some time that two of the trustees have set up their own non-charitable company which provides medical consultancy advice to other medical organisations and other HEMS units.
Their income from this company appears to be on top of the considerable salaries that they already receive from the NHS and the advice is often given during their working time for the NHS and the Virgin HEMS charity.
If this is true, there must certainly be a conflict of interests.
Their income from this company appears to be on top of the considerable salaries that they already receive from the NHS and the advice is often given during their working time for the NHS and the Virgin HEMS charity.
If this is true, there must certainly be a conflict of interests.
Thread Starter
It is no rumour. But it is muddy waters where the term HEMS is used regularly in a variety of styles.
An organisation offering HEMS crew training [at an unstated price] was advertising itself and its links to the London Air Ambulance [Charity] today at the Emergency Services Show in Stonleigh. The Principals of that organisation were not apparently present but they had leaflets being tended by fund raisers on the London Air Ambulance Charity fundraising stand. [no. 321] The leaflet for HCC/HEMS Crew Courses makes a link to individuals at The Royal London and GNAA.
A pop up banner also exhibited left it unclear whether this is the same as the 'HEMS' charity that the Charity Commission has links to a member of the London Trustees but there was no associated leaflet available for the pop up when I asked .... which suggests two different products with the same support structure.....
An organisation offering HEMS crew training [at an unstated price] was advertising itself and its links to the London Air Ambulance [Charity] today at the Emergency Services Show in Stonleigh. The Principals of that organisation were not apparently present but they had leaflets being tended by fund raisers on the London Air Ambulance Charity fundraising stand. [no. 321] The leaflet for HCC/HEMS Crew Courses makes a link to individuals at The Royal London and GNAA.
A pop up banner also exhibited left it unclear whether this is the same as the 'HEMS' charity that the Charity Commission has links to a member of the London Trustees but there was no associated leaflet available for the pop up when I asked .... which suggests two different products with the same support structure.....
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There are two charitable organisations:
Virgin HEMS (London) Ltd, charity number 801013, which provides the daily daytime HEMS air ambulance service in London plus the night-time car doctor service.
UK HEMS, charity number 1126752, which provides education and crew training on air ambulance matters. (This is totally separate to Virgin HEMS but uses their facilities and personnel for training courses)
There is also rumoured to be the third totally separate non-charitable company that I mentioned above.
Strangely, there is one name linked to all three and another name that is common to two, one charitable and one not.
Virgin HEMS (London) Ltd, charity number 801013, which provides the daily daytime HEMS air ambulance service in London plus the night-time car doctor service.
UK HEMS, charity number 1126752, which provides education and crew training on air ambulance matters. (This is totally separate to Virgin HEMS but uses their facilities and personnel for training courses)
There is also rumoured to be the third totally separate non-charitable company that I mentioned above.
Strangely, there is one name linked to all three and another name that is common to two, one charitable and one not.
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Why would they bring in the same guy to cover for the London Air Ambulance Charity who was obviously covering for these people, has he no shame....
David Philpott is an honourable man and should not be discredited for doing his job properly. It has taken an honest sincere man to find out what these people are doing. These Dr's are a bunch of crooks and should be brought down. Why are these 2 Dr's still allowed to be working when Mr philpott has been sacked it is a disgrace. The Trustees should be made to pay back all this money to the charity, misuse of the roof for private use and making the charity pay for his work is a total sham.
Is there no justice in this world today?? What about all the other trustees one whom has been charging the charity for her work..
Would you want to donate money to an organisation like that because I cetainly wouldn't. And I hope the public get to know what has been going on and that London Hems falls flat (harsh I know)
David Philpott is an honourable man and should not be discredited for doing his job properly. It has taken an honest sincere man to find out what these people are doing. These Dr's are a bunch of crooks and should be brought down. Why are these 2 Dr's still allowed to be working when Mr philpott has been sacked it is a disgrace. The Trustees should be made to pay back all this money to the charity, misuse of the roof for private use and making the charity pay for his work is a total sham.
Is there no justice in this world today?? What about all the other trustees one whom has been charging the charity for her work..
Would you want to donate money to an organisation like that because I cetainly wouldn't. And I hope the public get to know what has been going on and that London Hems falls flat (harsh I know)
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I think we could all echo the sentiments of Princess Pushy:-
Charities are strange beasts....... Air Ambulance charities are relatively new kids on the block. Some headed by unpaid, and sad to say, unsuitable Trustees to run a multi million pound organisation.
I ask the board at HEMS, is it not time to do the right thing and stand aside, bring in the Charity Commission to review and let them decide who is best able to take the service forward with honesty and transparency.
These two virtues sadly lacking until Mr Philpott arrived on the scene!
However let’s not forget there is a life saving service that needs to keep flying........honourable men would have stood down by now and let the fundraisers continue.
Charities are strange beasts....... Air Ambulance charities are relatively new kids on the block. Some headed by unpaid, and sad to say, unsuitable Trustees to run a multi million pound organisation.
I ask the board at HEMS, is it not time to do the right thing and stand aside, bring in the Charity Commission to review and let them decide who is best able to take the service forward with honesty and transparency.
These two virtues sadly lacking until Mr Philpott arrived on the scene!
However let’s not forget there is a life saving service that needs to keep flying........honourable men would have stood down by now and let the fundraisers continue.
I can smell a few new posters talking to themselves on this thread......wouldn't be the first time.
I'm sure that there are two sides to this story and no-one is squeaky clean. It will undoubtedly all come out in the wash.
I'm sure that there are two sides to this story and no-one is squeaky clean. It will undoubtedly all come out in the wash.
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airmail
I would strongly suggest that you have a much closer look at the 'Charity Commision' website that PANews referred to.
I am not being argumentative, just suggesting that facts are checked before faux pas are made.
P.S.
This now appears out of context because airmail's previous post (plus some others) have been deleted. I suspect that the moderator has been moderating.
I would strongly suggest that you have a much closer look at the 'Charity Commision' website that PANews referred to.
I am not being argumentative, just suggesting that facts are checked before faux pas are made.
P.S.
This now appears out of context because airmail's previous post (plus some others) have been deleted. I suspect that the moderator has been moderating.
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gregryan
I did look at the website and noted the facts that have been stated there. However, there are 8 trustees in total, 3 of which are doctors and only 1 of those has a link to another charity that is newly registered. There are numerous allegations that are coming out in this thread, only one poster has mentioned that it is the doctors who may or may not have done something wrong. Are you confirming that it is the doctors on the board who are potential wrongdoers or do you know what the other 5 trustees do and it is they?
You appear to have some knowledge that you are not imparting - maybe you should just share it and be done with it?
BTW, I am not being argumentative, I am a volunteer for another AA and wholly support the work that is done nationally by all people that want to help these organisations. If people (be it doctors or others) are, in effect, taking the public, NHS and others for a ride then I personally want it to come out as soon as possible. If what was stated earlier is true about the charity living beyond its means due to illegal actions and not being able to afford a helicopter after 2011 then it, in my eyes, would be a national disgrace and not just a huge loss for London
I did look at the website and noted the facts that have been stated there. However, there are 8 trustees in total, 3 of which are doctors and only 1 of those has a link to another charity that is newly registered. There are numerous allegations that are coming out in this thread, only one poster has mentioned that it is the doctors who may or may not have done something wrong. Are you confirming that it is the doctors on the board who are potential wrongdoers or do you know what the other 5 trustees do and it is they?
You appear to have some knowledge that you are not imparting - maybe you should just share it and be done with it?
BTW, I am not being argumentative, I am a volunteer for another AA and wholly support the work that is done nationally by all people that want to help these organisations. If people (be it doctors or others) are, in effect, taking the public, NHS and others for a ride then I personally want it to come out as soon as possible. If what was stated earlier is true about the charity living beyond its means due to illegal actions and not being able to afford a helicopter after 2011 then it, in my eyes, would be a national disgrace and not just a huge loss for London
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I whole heartedly agree it would be a national disgrace if such an important service such as this was pulled and I think that the reason facts relating to wrong doings (and I do indeed mean fact and not rumour) have been kept quiet for so long is because LAA supporters have always believed that air ambulances are an essential part of delivering quality healthcare to injured people.
However, there comes a time where perhaps people such as Mr. Philpott should stand up and be counted. As I alluded to before, previous ex staff who have been sacked (or pushed out) from the service have been gagged and not been in a position to right some wrongs - maybe it's time for change. Good luck to Mr. P I say.
However, there comes a time where perhaps people such as Mr. Philpott should stand up and be counted. As I alluded to before, previous ex staff who have been sacked (or pushed out) from the service have been gagged and not been in a position to right some wrongs - maybe it's time for change. Good luck to Mr. P I say.
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I tend to be in agreement with 206 jock...there is some familiarity with the tone of some of the postings.
I'm not saying that this is the case on this forum, but it is a well known fact that aggreived ex-employees start a witch hunt in order to get their view across - whether their grievance is fact or otherwise.
I'm sure the truth will prevail, but in the meantime stop hounding the persons referred to in previous postings and let them get on with what they do best - saving lives!
I'm not saying that this is the case on this forum, but it is a well known fact that aggreived ex-employees start a witch hunt in order to get their view across - whether their grievance is fact or otherwise.
I'm sure the truth will prevail, but in the meantime stop hounding the persons referred to in previous postings and let them get on with what they do best - saving lives!