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Only in the Inverness Courier
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2 September, 2010
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Published: 12 September, 2008
THE former director of a training programme for young Scottish doctors has signed a petition calling for the immediate re-instatement of a junior Inverness surgeon suspended for allegedly making insulting comments on a website.
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The letter protesting against NHS Highland's indefinite suspension of the trainee surgical specialist, who worked at Raigmore Hospital, was sent to Dr Harry Burns, the Scottish Government's chief medical officer (CMO) yesterday. Dr Burns, a consultant surgeon at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, oversees NHS operations as part of his role as CMO. He said he would not comment on the situation until he had considered the letter. Last Friday, The Inverness Courier re3vealed how the junior doctor, whose identity has been protected by colleagues, posted offensive language about Professor Dame Carol Black on an internet forum for medical professionals. His suspension has sparked off a national row amongst doctors on the issue of free speech. More than 60 signatures of support have been collected from doctors nationwide and abroad, including an internationally respected professor of neurology and members of Remedy UK, an organisation representing more than 13,000 junior doctors. The Edinburgh-based consultant physician responsible for the letter and petition said people had signed it on the understanding their identities would also stay private. "Doctors from all over the UK of all grades have signed," said the woman, who wished to remain anonymous. "Many more would have signed but were afraid to speak out for fear of their future prospects. "Senior signatories are anxious that the whole thing be resolved because the longer it goes on the more it might discourage good people from choosing to come to the north of Scotland." Aberdeen-based Professor Gillian Needham, a postgraduate dean at the North of Scotland Deanery, brought the junior doctor's outspoken views to the attention of NHS Highland after being tipped off by London colleagues. It is understood the comments were a reaction to the re-election of Professor Black as chairwoman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which promotes and supports the work of colleges and their faculties. Professor Black, who is also chairwoman of the Nuffield Trust and the UK Government's national director for health and work, has been a controversial figure since overseeing changes to the training regime for junior doctors. Related articles: 
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