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30 May 2002
- BBC
Walsgrave management feel pressure over suspensions
Entrance to the
troubled Walsgrave Hospital |
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Health Chiefs are
under pressure to sort out the high-profile suspensions of two
senior staff at Coventry's Walsgrave
hospital. |
A hearing was held
yesterday, 29 May, at the hospital into the case of the heart
consultant Raj Mattu who was suspended in February following
allegations of bullying a junior doctor.
The heart specialist was suspended in February following allegations he had bullied a medical researcher at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire.
At a meeting yesterday Dr Mattu strongly denied the allegations and the hospital is now making a decision about his future.
The heart specialist was suspended in February following allegations he had bullied a medical researcher at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire.
At a meeting yesterday Dr Mattu strongly denied the allegations and the hospital is now making a decision about his future.
The bullying is
being carried out by the Walsgrave Management. Anybody
who works there daren't say anything about clinical care
or patient care for fear they will be suspended. Dr Raj
Mattu has been suspended because his is a
whistleblower.  |
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Brian King, of the Dr Raj Mattu Reinstatement
Committee |
Supporters of Dr Mattu
said he has being victimised for revealing that two patients
died in overcrowded patient bays.
Brian King, the chairman of the Dr Raj Mattu Reinstatement Committee, alleged Dr Mattu was being bullied himself:
"The bullying is being carried out by the Walsgrave Management. Anybody who works there daren't say anything about clinical care or patient care for fear they will be suspended. Dr Raj Mattu has been suspended because his is a whistleblower."
This follows the two year suspension of the breast surgeon, Bryiony Ackroyd, despite a ruling by the General Medical Council allowing her to go back to work under supervision.
Brian King, the chairman of the Dr Raj Mattu Reinstatement Committee, alleged Dr Mattu was being bullied himself:
"The bullying is being carried out by the Walsgrave Management. Anybody who works there daren't say anything about clinical care or patient care for fear they will be suspended. Dr Raj Mattu has been suspended because his is a whistleblower."
This follows the two year suspension of the breast surgeon, Bryiony Ackroyd, despite a ruling by the General Medical Council allowing her to go back to work under supervision.
That ruling was upheld
by the GMC earlier this week and is being cited by the Dr Raj
Mattu Reinstatement Committee as an example suspensions are
being misused by the Walsgrave management.
Mr King said:
"The trust should only suspend doctors as a last resort and according to their own standing orders they should resolve that within seven days. This management at Walsgrave seems to take suspensions as a first resort.
Mr King said:
"The trust should only suspend doctors as a last resort and according to their own standing orders they should resolve that within seven days. This management at Walsgrave seems to take suspensions as a first resort.
"In the case of Bryiony they have suspended a surgeon for non-medical reasons. The enormous amount of waste of public money and lack of patient care as a result is scandalous."
Dr Mattu remains suspended while the trust make their decision.
Dr Ackroyd is still waiting to hear if she can return to work. Earlier this week she was cleared of misleading patients about operating risks.
Representatives at
Walsgrave Hospital were unavailable for
comment.
