Bath surgeon sacked after raising safety concerns

A senior surgeon has raised concerns about the way whistleblowers are dealt with, claiming he was sacked after speaking out.

Serryth Colbert told the BBC that following attempts to "stop wrongdoing", he was investigated by the trust at Bath's Royal United Hospital.

As a result, he said he was dismissed for gross misconduct in October 2023.

The RUH said it has "never dismissed anybody for raising concerns and never will".

It added that Mr Colbert's dismissal related to "significant concerns about bullying" and its investigation into his conduct was "thorough" and "robust".

Mr Colbert said he raised safety concerns without regard for the impact it might have on his career.

"It was never a question in my mind. This is wrong. I'm stopping the wrongdoing. I stand for justice. I stand to protect patients," he said.

The BBC has seen no evidence his most serious concern was ever investigated and Mr Colbert is now taking the RUH to an employment tribunal.

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Source: BBC News, 9 February 2024