Dr Sandie Bohin will stand down from her work in Guernsey early next year.
The Consultant Paediatrician who has worked for the Medical Specialist Group since 2009 has told her bosses that she intends to retire in March.
Her decision to retire has followed controversies around her involvement in the prosecution of Lucy Letby and an ongoing dispute with tens of families who say they’ve made complaints around her work in the island. The MSG and Dr Bohin say they are unaware of many of these complaints.
The MSG’s Chair, Dr Steve Evans said recruitment has already started to replace her.
“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.”
Dr Evans has also confirmed the MSG’s position around safeguarding – reiterating its importance.
He has also claimed that the ongoing conflict between Dr Bohin and Deputy Gavin St Pier – who first raised concerns around Dr Bohin’s work politically in 2022 – has jeopardised safeguarding in the Bailiwick.
“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.”
The ongoing conflict between Dr Bohin and Deputy St Pier will be the focus of another States debate next week.
He is facing a 25-day suspension from the States after the majority of a complaint she made earlier this year was upheld.
He was found guilty of breaching the States Members’ Code of Conduct after he confirmed the number of complaints he has received about Dr Bohin in a telephone call with a national newspaper journalist earlier this year.
Ahead of the debate, Dr Bohin has 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.”