By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated 14:06, Monday, 06 October 2008

A senior nurse was escorted from the Cumberland Infirmary by police when she returned from sick leave against the orders of hospital bosses, a tribunal heard.

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Sarina Saiger: Insists her boss grabbed her

Former assistant director of nursing Sarina Saiger claims it was part of a wider campaign of racial discrimination, harassment and victimisation against her by managers at the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. But bosses say they acted on legal advice after she refused to leave the building.

A hearing in Newcastle was told last week that the incident followed Dr Saiger’s decision to launch proceedings against the trust.

It came to light as former chief executive Marie Burnham took the witness stand to defend the trust in a day of tough cross examination.

Miss Burnham claimed that although the standard of her work was high, one of Dr Saiger’s previous line managers had brought to her attention serious problems regarding her behaviour long before the problems began. He went on to warn her that she had the potential to “play the race card” against the trust, she said.

In regard to the police incident, the tribunal heard that it followed her decision to take action against trust bosses.

The single mum, of mixed race, was off on long-term sick leave when bosses received her full list of claims on February 3, 2007. She proposed to return to work that month.

Miss Burnham said that included in the allegations was a barrage of abuse, including claims about their personal affairs, against members of staff. Dr Saiger also criticised the professional conduct of several senior managers, accusing them of bringing the NHS into disrepute.

Miss Burnham told the tribunal that these claims had a “significant effect” on the individuals concerned and she was aware that they would have put a great strain on working relationships.

She said in order to manage this situation and ensure it was safe for Dr Saiger, who had previously alleged she was assaulted by a senior manager, it was agreed that a return to work interview was needed. Until then she was to remain off work on paid leave.

But on February 25 it is alleged she returned to work unannounced. Miss Burnham said she told her to go back on to leave until a meeting could be arranged. By the following month she was still absent but, on March 31 Dr Saiger turned up at the Cumberland Infirmary.

Miss Burnham said she received a phone call from her personal assistant informing her of the situation. She told her to ask Dr Saiger to leave the premises immediately, but she refused. Miss Burnham claims Dr Saiger told her PA that “if Marie wants me to leave she will have to get the police to evict me”.

After several requests to leave Miss Burnham said she took legal advice and was faced with no alternative but to call the police, who escorted her from the premises.

Prior to the incident, Miss Burnham said the board had met to discuss Dr Saiger’s allegations and return to work. She said they had reached a unanimous agreement that there had been a total breakdown of trust and confidence, and her employment at the trust had therefore become untenable.

Following a series of further events, she was formally dismissed on May 2.

While on the witness stand Miss Burnham was also asked to explain how several senior managers were appointed following Dr Saiger’s claims that posts were not advertised. She also claims she was discriminated against in favour of other, less qualified white colleagues.

But the former chief executive defended her decisions, insisting that everything was above board and done in the interests of the trust.

The tribunal was continuing today.

PMcGowan@cngroup.co.uk