Ombudsman to probe influence of Commission’s medical reports

Date: 28/02/02

By Laurence Frost

THE European Ombudsman is to examine the influence wielded by Commission doctors over EU officials' careers, after a complaint from an employee who was barred from a new job by a disputed medical report.

Aline Wojciechowski was offered the post of secretary to the head of the Polish delegation in 1998, only to see the offer withdrawn three months later following a report by Dr Joseph Szeles, deputy head of the medical service.

Two years later, an appeals panel overturned Szeles' finding that Wojciechowski did not have the 'medical aptitude' to work in Poland - but the post was no longer available.

Although offered compensation, she is still seeking the reinstatement of the job offer and access to her medical notes.

Wojciechowski declined to comment on the case, saying she could be punished for talking to a newspaper under Commission rules. But sources say a key element of her complaint is the alleged refusal by Szeles to tell her what medical problem he believed she was suffering from.

'It's incredible if that's true,' said Brigitte Pretzenbacher, political secretary for the FFPE staff union, which supported the appeal against the original ruling.

The complaint also alleges that the Commission medical service had gone beyond its powers under EU staff regulations. But a spokesman for the staff Commissioner Neil Kinnock said it was normal practice to seek medical clearance for all foreign postings.

'The medical service bases its opinions on an analysis of a person's track record and history,' said Eric Mamer. 'I'm very confident the medical service acted properly in this case and that the official concerned had all the information at her disposal - but I'm not in a position to give details of her situation because of the rules on confidentiality designed to protect her.'

Szeles said those rules had prevented him detailing the grounds for his decision in letters that other people would see. He added that he had fully explained the grounds to Wojciechowski in person and offered to send notes to her own doctor.

A spokeswoman for Ombudsman Jacob Söderman said Wojciechowski had been asked to show that she had tried all internal appeal procedures before filing her complaint.

The European Ombudsman is to examine the influence wielded by European Commission doctors over EU officials' careers, after a complaint from an employee who was barred from a new job by a disputed medical report.