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By Karen
Hambridge , Evening Telegraph
Cardiology
patients in Coventry may be waiting almost twice as long
for a routine heart check because of knock-on effects
from a doctor's suspension. Dr Raj Mattu, a cardiologist
at Walsgrave Hospital, has not been at work since
February 21 after he was suspended following allegations
of bullying a junior colleague. Dr Mattu is now holding
health and heart clinics at a community hall in Foleshill.
A locum has been taking on much of Dr Mattu's work and
other members of the cardiology team have also been doing
extra sessions. But the locum is due to leave within the
next two weeks and cover has not yet been rearranged. As
a result, patients due to see him have been put back.
Some patients who should have had regular six-month-ly
heart checks in September have been told it may be
January before a slot is available.
John
Richardson, spokesman for University Hospitals Coventry
and Warwick-shire NHS Trust, which runs Walsgrave, said
cardiology was being reviewed to make sure there would be
further locum cover or extra sessions held by existing
doctors. He said patients had been given a later slot to
make sure an appointment had been made but it was hoped
these people would be seen earlier once new arrangements
were in place.
