Supporters back surgeon

Dr Raj Mattu has been suspended since February

Supporters of a suspended heart surgeon have called for a hospital trust to reinstate him.

Dr Raj Mattu was suspended from Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, in February amid allegations of harassing and bullying a junior doctor.

Former patients and members of the local Sikh community formed the Raj Mattu Reinstatement Committee to campaign on his behalf.

They believe he was singled out because of his outspoken views over patient care.

'Overwhelming support'

He criticised the trust after it came under fire last year from the Commission for Health Improvement, which found "serious" areas of concern with patient care at the hospital.

Bryan King, chairman of the committee, told a packed public meeting the doctor was "overwhelmed" by support for his plight.

"Dr Mattu was trying to highlight to the management that patients lives were being put in danger as a direct result of five patients being treated in bays meant for four," he said.

"He had no choice but to take the matter public - he did this because he is from Coventry and feels passionate about what is right for the people of Coventry.

Independent audit

"The result of this suspension was that waiting lists have got longer and to cover for Dr Mattu, the hospital have had to employ locums, who come and go."

In February, an independent audit found the hospital's death rates for heart operations to be almost three times the national average.

The situation led to calls for chief executive David Loughton's resignation by seven local MPs. In March he handed in his notice.

David Roberts, 37, acting chief executive of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, has been appointed as Mr Loughton's successor.