NHS whistleblower appeals for damages

A consultant who was suspended for whistleblowing is appealing for damages to help cover his crippling legal bills.

According to News Shopper, Dr Ramon Niekrash represented himself at an employment appeals tribunal in London, as he can no longer afford a lawyer.

"In attempting to silence and knowingly professionally damage a perceived critic, [the trust] was prepared to act in a high or heavy handed, oppressive and insulting manner," Dr Niekrash told the court in support of his claim for damages.

After being suspended for raising safety fears at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Niekrash was left with £180,000 in court costs.

The consultant originally spoke out over cost-cutting measures occurring at the hospital and was suspended for ten weeks.

Although Dr Niekrash won the case in 2010, he was only awarded £17,500 in damages and forced to pay his own legal costs that surpassed the amount he originally won.

Published by Tessa Jones