MSG urges the States to suspend Deputy Gavin St Pier and bring an end to “long and unfair campaign” waged against Dr Sandi Bohin
- The MSG chair, Dr Steve Evans, calls for respect for the Standards Commissioner's conclusion regarding Deputy St Pier’s conduct.
- Deputy St Pier allegedly breached six sections of the Code of Conduct and has been recommended for a 25-day suspension.
- Dr Evans notes ongoing negative effects from Deputy St Pier's actions on Dr Bohin's reputation and public trust in healthcare.
- Allegations against Dr Bohin have been deemed unfounded, with no upheld complaints in relation to her clinical practice.
- Dr Bohin announced her retirement effective March 2026, earlier than planned because of stress from “the unrelenting personal vilification and harassment from within the island”
- Deputy St Pier argues the case is about a culture which has no capacity to learn when things go wrong
The Medical Specialist Group has publicly urged the States to respect the findings of the independent Commissioner for Standards regarding Deputy Gavin St Pier.
The Commissioner has concluded that Deputy St Pier breached several rules of the Code of Conduct, leading to a recommendation for a 25-day suspension which will be debated on Wednesday 28 November.
Dr Evans remarked, “We sincerely hope this will finally bring an end to the long and unfair campaign waged against Dr Bohin – a campaign that has caused deep harm to her, to our paediatric service, to public trust in healthcare and safeguarding, and ultimately to Guernsey’s reputation.”
He stated that the core finding indicates Deputy St Pier confirmed “confidential and seriously inaccurate and misleading information” in discussions with a journalist from The Guardian.
The Guardian had previously reported comments from Deputy St Pier alleging numerous complaints against Dr Bohin, including serious accusations concerning safeguarding issues.
The Commissioner ascertained that investigations had consistently found no wrongdoing linked to Dr Bohin's clinical practices.
Deputy St Pier later claimed that he had received concerns from 27 families. HSC and MSG records indicate eight complaints regarding Dr Bohin over the past four years, none upheld and none relating to safeguarding matters.
Dr Evans expressed concern over the implications of such allegations, urging any individual with concerns to adhere to proper complaint channels.
In March 2025, the MSG filed a complaint against Deputy St Pier with the Health and Social Care Committee, alleging deviations from the official complaints policy regarding advocacy roles. Dr Evans emphasised that proper complaint management is essential for fair investigations.
He explained, “We were concerned that he was not following the official joint HSC and MSG complaints policy, which states that if a service user contacts a Deputy, requesting that they undertake an advocacy role on their behalf, the complaint should be managed under the policy so that it can be fully and fairly investigated. It is not enough to say that you have “signposted” the procedure to a complainant.
“We were informed in late June that Jane St Pier had admitted to being the source of the information given to the Guardian, but this was not relevant to our complaint, so we did not withdraw it.”
The fallout from Deputy St Pier's actions has raised significant concerns about safeguarding practices within the Bailiwick. Dr Evans pointed out the critical role of safeguarding in child welfare, warning that professionals might hesitate to make referrals due to potential political repercussions, thus jeopardising vulnerable children.
Dr Bohin has announced her earlier than planned retirement from the paediatric role effective March 2026, a decision influenced by the stress of ongoing allegations.
“The past few years have been extremely difficult, both personally and professionally, but I have remained deeply committed to providing safe, compassionate and evidence-based care for the children and families of this island. I am grateful to my colleagues and to the community for their trust and continued support,” she said.
“As an expert witness in a high-profile case such as Lucy Letby’s you expect scrutiny and challenge. I am comfortable with the scrutiny that the role attracts. It is the unrelenting personal vilification and harassment from within the island that has caused me and my family stress and upset. This ultimately led to my decision to retire from my post earlier than I had planned.”
Deputy St Pier responded to the MSG by saying that the case was not primarily about him, Dr Bohin or safeguarding.
“It’s about a culture, which is systemically resistant to responding appropriately to anything perceived as challenge or criticism; a system that has no capacity or appetite to learn when things go wrong.
“It’s about a system which isn’t outcome focussed or capable of properly evidencing quality assurance. These intrinsic failings will not be resolved with a website, poster or another media release that says, ‘we listen.’ Neither will it be resolved whether I am suspended or not.”
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