Whistleblower dentist wins claim against NHS trust
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- Published: Thursday, 02 March 2017 07:46
- Written by News Editor
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A consultant orthodontist, who said he had become the victim of a witch hunt at a Shropshire hospital has won legal claims against his former employers. Mr Paul Dowsing claimed detriment and constructive unfair dismissal after complaining that he was put under pressure to resign after making whistle blowing allegations against the hospital.
He alleged the hospital “covered up” failures to meet patient treatment targets within 18 weeks – at one stage involving 176 patients - and kept a “hidden” surgery waiting list of patients. Mr Dowsing complained that the “waiting patients” could have been lost for ever considering that some dental treatment could take up to three years.
He also alleged the hospital “stopped the clock” for patients when they had been seen for assessment, rather than when their treatment had commenced. There was also an allegation that a hospital staff member incorrectly ordered £10,000 worth of stock.
The trust opposed Mr Dowsing’s claims and accused him of bringing patients from his Manor Practice at Burton to the hospital for out-of-hours treatment as private patients. The hospital complained this was a breach of contract and twice suspended him for a total of nearly 21 months. An investigation was carried out. Mr Dowsing complained he became the victim of a witch hunt.
The tribunal hearing had been listed for 12 days and Judge Ron Broughton has announced that Mr Dowsing was subjected to detriment and unfairly constructively dismissed as a result of making whistle blowing disclosures. But he also said that Mr Dowsing’s own conduct had been “potentially both culpable and contributory”.
Mr Broughton said in his report: “He appears to have been held in high regard by many and to have had an almost impossible workload due to demand, the time-critical nature of some of the treatments, understaffing and financial constraints.” A tribunal spokesman said an undisclosed award had since been made.
Orthodontists face almost impossible task....
Dear All,In summary this news story reports, an almost impossible workload and NO protected time !!!
Sound familiar :?:
To add fuel to the compromising fires, England's Orthodontists will be the first (victims?) rebidding for their own nhs contracts and have time-limited contracts formally imposed - will this improve or worsen things for patients :?
I know we discuss/argue about some Ortho. aspects (and many other areas too) on GDPUK from time to time in the spirit of lively & open debate etc, but our Orthodontic colleagues deserve AND need the support of all the Profession in these circumstances, surely?
The public need to know The Big Truth in a fully Open and Transparent way, urgently :idea:
Yours observationally ,
Tony.
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