Thursday 29 August 2019
Earlier today, Greg Lydall, a psychiatrist formerly employed by Health & Social Care pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making and/or possessing indecent images of a child under 16 or perceived to be under 16. The case has been adjourned until the 31st October for sentencing.
The Committee for Health & Social Care wishes to express its sadness and disappointment that a former employee has been convicted of charges of this nature. The Committee also wishes to express its gratitude to Guernsey Police. These are clearly shocking offences and we realise there will be patients and former patients, as well as friends and colleagues of Greg Lydall who will be feeling deeply distressed and betrayed. The Committee forHealth & Social Care shares those feelings. Greg Lydall worked in a position of trust. The nature and severity of his offences and his deception is difficult to come to terms with.
HSC does not believe there has been any risk to patients during the course of his employment and at no time during his employment with HSC did he have professional contact with any person under 18 in the course of his duties. Immediately, upon learning of the allegations, HSC ensured Greg Lydall had no further contact with any patients. However we realise none of that makes the crimes committed by Greg Lydall any less serious or distressing. We simply seek to provide assurance that HSC acted swiftly and appropriately after becoming aware of the matter and is not aware of any concern that the offences with which he has been convicted have involved HSC service users or were committed in the course of his professional duties whilst working for HSC.
The Committee forHealth & Social Care wants to offer support to any patients or former patients who have concerns about aspects of their professional care provided by Greg Lydall during his employment with HSC. We have set up a dedicated confidential helpline on 01481 707666 and would encourage anyone with such concerns to get in touch. The helpline will be open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm.
We also want to support our staff who worked alongside Greg Lydall and who will find the details of the court proceedings extremely upsetting, and we have made them aware of how they can access support within the service.
This is a difficult time for our team, as it will be for patients and the community. The Committee forHealth & Social Care is committed to supporting those affected by this case as best we can.
