It is helpful to have a rule book which can be used for reference.It forms part of the Contract of employment.

New codes of discipline and Management can then be negotiated with the Staff side representative/Trade union.

There may well be dispute over the interpretation of the rules, this may become the task of an Industrial tribunal or a Court of law.

There can be particular difficulties when a lay manager suspends a clinician while some unexplained lapse or apparent break of contract is investigated e.g. a major clinical complaint. This is particularly so when many weeks or months go by, there is media interest and usually much personal vilification with people taking sides.

This is damaging to the clinician, to the manager, to the health organisation and to patient care.