'Disillusioned' surgeon quits UK

A 52-year-old award-winning surgeon is quitting Britain to work in Switzerland and blames "disillusionment" with the NHS for his decision.

John Petri, an orthopaedic specialist at James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, will leave next month.

The doctor cut waiting lists and won a Medical Innovation Award in 2005 for a "dual surgery" technique for the hospital serving Norfolk and Suffolk.

He wanted other hospitals to use the technique but he says it was shunned.

In the theatre anaesthetists at the James Paget Hospital prepared the next patient while he was operating on another.

He said: "I found I was wasting time between operations so I came up with this solution. Now I don't waste any time and I have no waiting lists.

"I was hopeful my solution would be taken on by other hospitals.

No incentives

"After I won my award, I met Tony Blair. He said he would send someone from the Department of Health and that happened only after six months. They came but nothing happened.

"I feel disillusioned with the NHS. I'm disappointed no one has learnt from my experience.

"The reason for that is very simple - there are no incentives for surgeons to become more efficient. If we don't have performance-related pay, why should we change?"

Wendy Slaney, acting chief executive of the James Paget Hospital, said: "Mr Petri's contribution to the care of patients at this trust has been excellent and the trust has enjoyed a good working relationship with him.

"The views expressed are those of the individual and not of the trust."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said it was a matter for local health authorities to decide which clinical techniques are used.