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By Karen
Hambridge
He
may have been suspended from his job at Walsgrave
Hospital, but Dr Raj Mattu isn't going to let that stop
him using his medical expertise. The consultant, who has
been told he can't work while allegations of bullying are
investigated, has set up his own health and heart clinic
in the city. And last night the first of the clinics was
voted a popular success. Dozens of people turned up to
take part in the session organised by the cardiologist
and a team of helpers. Dr Mattu, who has been suspended
from Walsgrave since February, hopes to run weekly
clinics at the community hall of St Paul's Church in
Foleshill Road. He says he wants to put his free time to
good use and help people who might not otherwise have
health checks.
"I
am very pleased with the turnout. Some people have
travelled quite a way across the city to get here and I
have seen some familiar faces, with former patients
coming along," he said.
Inderjit Kumar, a project manager at St Paul's for the
Foleshill Multicultural Open Forum said the sessions were
a boon for the community. He said the idea came from
discussions between Dr Mattu, a former choir boy at the
church, and Canon Jim Canning, vicar at St Paul's. He
added: "We have had various health awareness events
at the church before now including a diabetes conference
which have proved very successful. "This is a great
opportunity for people in the community to come along and
get a check and learn more about what is going on. "It
is good to know there are people like Dr Mattu who are
concerned about the health of the community."
People
attending the clinic were able to have their height and
weight checked, blood pressure measured, urine tested for
sugar and blood checked for cholesterol. A risk score was
then worked out to chart the chances of them developing
heart problems over the next ten years. People considered
at risk were able to consult Dr Mattu, who will write a
letter for them to take to their GP advising continued
monitoring or further action. In the future Dr Mattu
hopes to be able to prescribe medication at the clinics
himself. Each person was given an easy to understand
print out, detailing information taken on the day and the
results of the tests.
Ian
Harris, aged 56, from Radford, was one of those being
seen. He said: "I think it is a good thing to be
able to get yourself checked out simply for peace of mind.
"I am a bit overweight and I wanted to be sure
everything was OK. I know checks like this can often be
expensive so these clinics are a great idea. "I just
think it is a terrible shame that Dr Mattu is not able to
work at the Walsgrave Hospital in the normal way. And I
believe the sooner he is reinstated the better it will be
for all his patients."
