A CASUALTY manager was sacked after a hospital found her “gross misconduct” resulted in a year of suspect waiting figures.

Maria Jeffery was suspended as part of an internal investigation at Wirral’s Arrowe Park Hospital, along with the director of nursing and midwifery, Michael Monaghan.

A recommendation has been made to the board responsible for the appointment and removal of directors that he, too, be sacked.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust (WUTH) last night said it investigated allegations the figures were “wrongfully manipulated”.

In a major blow for the trust, it means percentages of patients seen, treated, discharged or transferred from A&E within four hours between March last year and April, 2009, cannot be relied upon.

Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts, has been informed.

In July, the Daily Post revealed how staff had raised concerns about how the A&E four-hour target was being reached.

Ms Jeffery and Mr Monaghan were suspended without prejudice and their disciplinary hearings were completed this week. It is understood they will appeal.

Arrowe Park hospital chief executive Len Richards said: “As soon as concerns were brought to our attention about this matter, we launched a thorough and searching investigation.

“This found there was evidence of wrongdoing, which was taken to a disciplinary hearing this week.