Doctor sacked for 'faking CV'

Surgey patients at Bradford have offered a review

A surgeon accused of faking part of his curriculum vitae has been sacked by hospital mangers.

Robert Phipps started working at Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust in September 1998.

The 45-year-old doctor had practised in New Zealand for eight years before arriving in Bradford.

But on Friday, bosses at the hospital have fired him after alleged discrepancies in his employment history came to light.

Mr Phipps has denied faking parts of his CV and said he would appeal against the hospital's decision.

He said he was being scapegoated because he had raised questions about management at the hospital.

"I presented documentary evidence refuting these allegations at the disciplinary meeting but the panel ignored these documents.

I feel I am being scapegoated

Mr Robert Phipps, surgeon

"I plan to lodge my appeal next week.

"I feel I am being scapegoated for blowing the whistle on mismanagement at the Trust."

Patients

The hospital has sent letters to 28 former patients of Mr Phipps asking them to attend a review clinic as a precaution.

Dr Michael Smith, medical director of the Trust, stressed the review aimed to remove concerns patients may have about their care.

"As a responsible hospital, we feel this review is the most prudent and, indeed, only way of giving patients the reassurance and peace of mind that the diagnosis and care they received was entirely appropriate.

"We regret that this will clearly be an anxious time for some patients but we have a duty of care to our patients and believe they have a right to know of the situation."

Mr Phipps, of Baildon, Bradford, worked for the Trust between September 1998 and June this year, when he went on extended leave.

A spokesman for the Trust added: "We are stressing that his dismissal related to employment issues and not as a result of any allegation relating to medical negligence or substandard clinical practice."

Chief executive David Jackson said: "This is a most unfortunate set of circumstances and we deeply regret that it came about.

"On behalf of Bradford Hospitals, I would like to apologise to these patients and their families or the anxiety and stress these events have caused."

He said the Trust's findings were being made available to the Royal College of Surgeons and the General Medical Council so that they could consider whether any further action against Mr Phipps was appropriate.