In order to resolve the situation I asked the NHS Executive to appoint an independent chair, to chair meetings between Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, ourselves and Dr Bhatt. The first meeting took place on the 7th September 2000, it was agreed that (a) Tess would be reviewed by Dr Bhatt and the hospital's neurologist the following week, (b) appropriate tests would be carried out on a monthly basis, (c) routine tests would be analysed by the hospital but specialised tests would be organised by Dr Bhatt. A further meeting was scheduled for the 30th November 2000.

The expected review did not take place the following week, when I contacted Dr Bhatt he told me that he was having difficulty scheduling the review. The review eventually took place on the 6th October 2000, and samples were taken for a number of Tests. On the 17th October 2000 the results of these tests came back, Dr Bhatt wanted some follow up tests, the hospital Chief Executive refused to allow the hospital to take samples for the tests Dr Bhatt required, despite her agreement at the meeting of the 7th September chaired by the Independent Chair.

On the 10th October the neurologist received a telephone call from the Chief Executive Mrs Lawrence, he was told that if Dr Bhatt ever came to see Tess she was to be contacted in advance. The neurologist pointed out that this was a review she and the Medical Director had agreed to at the meeting with the Independent Chair. The neurologist was then told that he was to attend a meeting with the Chief Executive, Medical Director and the Director of Human Resources and that he could bring his BMA representative with him, and that one of the matters to be discussed would be his contractual status.

On the 20th November 2000 the Chief executive wrote to the Independent Chair asking for the 30th November meeting to be postponed. The Chief Executive wanted to deal with matters outside of the meeting concerning the neurologist's disagreemet with her and Medical Director over Tess's care. The independent chair refused to postpone the meeting. Following a letter from me to the Independent Chair on the 22nd November 2000 complaining about the treatment the neurologist was receiving because of the agreed review with Dr Bhatt, the Chief Executive and Medical Director withdrew from the 30th of November meeting. The Independent Chair tried to negotiate with the Chief Executive in order for the meeting to go ahead, but the Chief Executive refused all approaches from the Independent Chair. The Independent Chair then cancelled the meeting and withdrew from the whole process.