Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital once again without management
Appointed on 20 November as head of the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital Centre, Sébastien Galleyn may only remain in office for a few months. The disciplinary board of the National Centre for the Management of the Hospital Civil Service has issued a notice of dismissal against him, the most severe penalty available for a civil servant.
The case originated from a comment posted on social media and unearthed by environmental activist Cory Le Guen. The text, signed "Sébastien Galleyn, director of the Louis-Constant Fleming hospital", was a response to another internet user. It read:
"It is not immigration that is the problem. In France, there are many different types of immigrants, many of whom do not cause any problems: Europeans, North and South Americans, British, Asians, and so on. The immigration that is causing problems is that from Africa, North Africa and Muslim countries in general." These comments were deemed unacceptable by all institutions; during the December territorial council meeting, the President of the Collectivité indicated that he wanted the director to leave. Since then, the situation seemed to have calmed down, but the legal process continued.
A dismissal notice with serious consequences
The Regional Health Agency (ARS) had reported the matter to the public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a provision that requires all public authorities to inform the courts when they believe that facts may constitute an offence. It had also forwarded all the evidence to the National Centre for the Management of Hospital Practitioners and Management Staff in the Hospital Public Service (CNG). The director of the CNG then ruled that these comments constituted a breach of the duty of discretion and the obligations of dignity, impartiality and probity required of a civil servant. Disciplinary proceedings were therefore initiated and the institution summoned Sébastien Galleyn to appear before the disciplinary board. Its 14 members, meeting on 17 February, issued a recommendation for dismissal. The decision was not unanimous, but was passed by a majority.
If the CNG follows this recommendation – which is logical – Sébastien Galleyn will lose his status as a civil servant and, as a result, his income.
The director, who was initially on leave, has since been on sick leave until 18 March. However, no employer, whether public or private, can dismiss an employee during sick leave. Furthermore, sick leave can be renewed... and we remember the precedent with the former director.
New interim period
In the meantime, the hospital finds itself without any real leadership. The interim role will be filled by the current financial director, who has never managed a hospital before. This solution is also temporary, as he is due to retire at the beginning of May.
This situation will once again put the hospital in difficulty. This lack of leadership comes at a time when a number of issues remain unresolved... from the simplest, such as the lack of staff parking and cockroaches in the kitchen, to the most complex, such as training plans, career development and staff recruitment. Without leadership, there can be no progress.
The nursing staff, who are committed to their vocation, are becoming weary. Overtime is accumulating for some, and they see no possibility of change.
On the ARS side, few decisions are being made either, as Laurent Legendart left his post in mid-January to join the office of the Minister for Overseas Territories. His successor, Philippe Luccioni-Michaux, will not take over as head of the ARS Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin until 9 March.
