Suspended doctor starts battle to clear his name

BY KEELEY KNOWLES

A doctor has launched an appeal after being dismissed over a row with a colleague.

Mark Struthers, 52, who worked as a GP at the Flitwick Surgery (pictured), Highlands, for six-years, was suspended after a 'disagreement' with a partner at the practice on March 9.

An investigation followed and on April 28, he says he was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Dr Struthers, who lives in Flitton, has appealed the decision.

On Friday the practice manager Sandy Hedges said it was being dealt with internally and it would be inappropriate to comment further.

It is alleged that Dr Struthers, who has worked as a GP for 22 years, acted aggresively towards another doctor, who is a partner in the practice.

Dr Struthers said: "We had a clinical governance meeting on March 9 and the doctor raised something about my treatment of a patient some eight months previously.

"I was angry that he had raised it without notifying me but I didn't swear.

"I believe the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.

"I was suspended for five weeks and then invited to resign but I was not going to resign over something which I did not think was dismissable.

"It was simply a disagreement between doctors and I feel like I have been ambushed." It is thought that the appeal hearing will take place next month.

A spokesman for the British Medical Association said: "The BMA is assisting Dr Struthers regarding his current situation."