Summit over suspended surgeon

Dr Mattu criticised procedures at Walsgrave hospital

A local MP will hold a summit meeting with a hospital trust in a bid to end the long-term suspension of an eminent heart surgeon.

The Coventry North East MP Bob Ainsworth is meeting with the chief executive of the city's Walsgrave hospital on Friday to discuss the apparent stand-off in the case of Dr Raj Mattu.

Dr Mattu has been suspended on full pay for more than two years.

He was suspended from his post at the hospital following allegations that he bullied junior doctors.

Controversial practice

But his supporters claim he is being victimised after criticising the hospital's controversial practice of putting five patients in four bay wards.

Mr Ainsworth said he hopes his meeting with Dave Roberts, the chief executive of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, will result in a plan to resolve the stalemate being agreed.

An internal inquiry is under way at the hospital after claims that the deaths of two patients were caused by the hospital's beds policy.

The practice was halted in August 2001.