MSG urges the States to uphold Standards Commissioner’s finding

The MSG chair, Dr Steve Evans, is calling on Deputies to respect the independent Commissioner for Standards’ conclusion that Deputy St Pier breached six sections of the Code of Conduct, and to support the Appeals Commissioner’s recommendation of a 25-day suspension. 

Dr Evans said: 

‘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. 

‘The key finding by the Commissioner is that Deputy St Pier confirmed “confidential and seriously inaccurate and misleading information” in a call with a Guardian journalist. 

‘In doing so, the Commissioner says, he not only showed “an intention to harm Dr Bohin’s reputation”, but also “risked misleading the public and undermining trust in both the complaints processes and the institutions of public accountability”.’ 

The Guardian journalist wrote to Dr Bohin last November as follows:  

“Mr St Pier has told us he has received complaints from 16 families (a total that includes his own) that relate specifically to you and the MSG paediatric service, in his capacity as a deputy in the States. 

“Of the 16 complaints relating to you, nine include some allegation of mothers being suspected unfairly of fabricating or inducing illness or doing harm; seven include complaints about your role in safeguarding procedures; two involve neonatal deaths.” 

The Commissioner states: 

“These are extremely serious and unfounded allegations. Independent reviews … have consistently found no wrongdoing related to Dr Bohin’s clinical judgement or her actions.”

Additional complaints 

More recently, Deputy St Pier has said that 27 families have approached him with concerns. However, according to official HSC and MSG data, over the past four years only eight complaints concerning Dr Bohin were made. None were upheld, and none involved safeguarding issues.  

Dr Evans continued: 

‘We are unaware of the additional complaints made directly to Deputy St Pier. We urge anyone with concerns to make a complaint so that we can investigate fully and fairly. That is the only way that we can help patients and their families, it’s the only way we can learn and improve, and it’s the only way to ensure that every voice is heard through the proper channels.’ 

MSG complaint to HSC 

In March this year the MSG raised a complaint about Deputy St Pier with the Health and Social Care Committee.  

Dr Evans explains, ‘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.’ 

Wave of false or misleading allegations

Although the Commissioner’s findings are based on the phone call between Deputy St Pier and the Guardian, this was just the start of a new wave of false or misleading allegations following the formal reprimand to Deputy St Pier in October 2024 for six serious breaches of the Code of Conduct.

Dr Evans says, ‘We had hoped that the formal reprimand would be the end of the matter, but it was not. First there was the Guardian letter in November containing multiple untrue allegations. On 8 January Sir David Davis MP said in the House of Commons that eight families had complained to the GMC about Dr Bohin, something she remains unaware of. In May she received another long letter from the Guardian, repeating many of the original allegations. In July she was contacted by the UK news website UnHerd with similar allegations. In September the Telegraph got in touch to say they had been contacted by several Guernsey families with concerns.  

‘The wording and content of each of these approaches clearly shows a consistent, single source from an individual or group of individuals who have embarked on a campaign to cause reputational damage and personal attacks without factually correct and corroborated evidence.’ 

Safeguarding 

In addition to the impact on Dr Bohin of this ongoing campaign, there is widespread concern that Deputy St Pier’s actions have jeopardised safeguarding in the Bailiwick.  

Dr Evans comments, ‘Safeguarding performs a key role in looking after vulnerable children in need of help, care and support. It will always be a difficult and emotionally challenging area of practice, but the first responsibility of our doctors is to protect children and young people from harm. 

‘Our fear is that professionals involved in child protection will hesitate before making a referral because they fear political intervention and receiving similar treatment to Dr Bohin. The island still has no named doctor for safeguarding because no one is prepared to take on that role. 

‘It is in any case unusual for our doctors to make a safeguarding referral. From 2022 to 2025, of the 7,135 referrals made to the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH), paediatricians were responsible for just 13 referrals, which includes three referrals by Dr Bohin.’ 

Retirement 

Dr Bohin has this month informed the MSG that she will retire from her role in March 2026.  

Dr Evans says, ‘I was very sad to hear that Sandie was retiring earlier than she had intended. But I understand why she has made that decision. The island will lose a highly skilled and caring paediatrician and neonatologist. We are recruiting now for her successor.    

‘Our priority is, and always will be, the high-quality care of children and all our patients. As doctors we work to clear legal and professional standards, guided by a strong duty of care - especially in matters of safeguarding and safety. 

‘We remain focused on delivering safe, compassionate care and upholding the standards our community deserves.’ 

Statement from Dr Sandie Bohin 

Dr Sandie Bohin, consultant paediatrician, said: 

‘The Commissioner for Standards’ Code of Conduct report is a fair, comprehensive and evidence-based investigation that confirmed the allegations about me were inaccurate. I could not have asked for a more thorough report.  

‘I have dedicated 38 years to paediatric care, including 13 years as a consultant in tertiary neonatal care in the UK, and continue to practise to the highest professional standards here in Guernsey. The data from the Medical Specialist Group confirms that there have been no upheld complaints against my clinical practice and no evidence of wrongdoing in relation to safeguarding.

‘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. 

‘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.’ 

Read the full report that is going to the States here.