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Sacked doctor 'was unfairly dismissed', tribunal rules Sacked doctor 'was unfairly dismissed', tribunal rules
(about 9 hours later)
A heart specialist was unfairly sacked after raising concerns about patient safety, a tribunal has ruled.A heart specialist was unfairly sacked after raising concerns about patient safety, a tribunal has ruled.
Dr Raj Mattu was dismissed by University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in 2010.Dr Raj Mattu was dismissed by University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in 2010.
In 2001, he exposed the cases of two patients who died in crowded bays at Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry.In 2001, he exposed the cases of two patients who died in crowded bays at Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry.
The judge ruled Dr Mattu "did not cause or contribute to his dismissal". Dr Mattu said he was "relieved" at the ruling. The trust did not comment.The judge ruled Dr Mattu "did not cause or contribute to his dismissal". Dr Mattu said he was "relieved" at the ruling. The trust did not comment.
'Devastating' effects'Devastating' effects
Employment Judge Pauline Hughes dismissed Dr Mattu's claims of racial discrimination.Employment Judge Pauline Hughes dismissed Dr Mattu's claims of racial discrimination.
However, she ruled the consultant was subject to "many detriments" by the trust as a consequence of being a whistle-blower.However, she ruled the consultant was subject to "many detriments" by the trust as a consequence of being a whistle-blower.
She said the cardiologist's allegations were "serious" and had "attracted a great deal of media coverage and public interest".She said the cardiologist's allegations were "serious" and had "attracted a great deal of media coverage and public interest".
She also ruled that the surgeon had been treated "unfavourably" by the trust as a result of a disability.She also ruled that the surgeon had been treated "unfavourably" by the trust as a result of a disability.
During the tribunal, Dr Mattu said his concerns about overcrowding on wards were ignored.During the tribunal, Dr Mattu said his concerns about overcrowding on wards were ignored.
He claimed a policy of allocating five patients to four-bed bays in December 1999 prevented vital equipment being used to save the life of a 35-year-old man.He claimed a policy of allocating five patients to four-bed bays in December 1999 prevented vital equipment being used to save the life of a 35-year-old man.
The specialist decided to "go public" in September 2001, after a hospital manager appeared in television news reports insisting that lives had not been lost because of overcrowding.The specialist decided to "go public" in September 2001, after a hospital manager appeared in television news reports insisting that lives had not been lost because of overcrowding.
An NHS review in 2004 cleared the hospital trust of responsibility for any deaths in relation to overcrowding.An NHS review in 2004 cleared the hospital trust of responsibility for any deaths in relation to overcrowding.
Following the judgment, Dr Mattu said he felt "relieved".Following the judgment, Dr Mattu said he felt "relieved".
"My treatment by the trust over the past 13 years has damaged my health, my professional reputation and my livelihood," he said."My treatment by the trust over the past 13 years has damaged my health, my professional reputation and my livelihood," he said.
"Its effects on my personal and private life have been devastating."Its effects on my personal and private life have been devastating.
"I can only hope the NHS learns from my case and starts to listen to its doctors and nurses who raise concerns.""I can only hope the NHS learns from my case and starts to listen to its doctors and nurses who raise concerns."
His solicitor, Stephen Moore, of Ashfords LLP, said: "The tribunal's findings - that Dr Mattu was a whistle-blower and was unfairly dismissed - completely vindicate him.
"Dr Mattu was a fantastic cardiologist and it was tragic that his pursuit of safety and the highest standards in care led to him being vilified, bullied and harassed out of a job he loved."
The case, he added, "brought to light the appalling way whistleblowers are still being treated".