Queen's former surgeon wins dismissal case against NHS Grampian

The Queen's former surgeon in Scotland has won an unfair dismissal case against NHS Grampian.

Prof Zygmunt Krukowski resigned from his Aberdeen Royal Infirmary post in 2016, after earlier raising concerns about patient safety.

An employment tribunal has now ruled the case was constructive unfair dismissal.

Prof Krukowski said he was "very pleased" with the result, after the disappointment at how his career ended.

However, NHS Grampian welcomed the rejection of part of the case, which claimed Prof Krukowski suffered as he had made health and safety disclosures.

• Grampian doctors cleared of wrongdoing

The tribunal, in a 120-page ruling, also rejected a claim of race discrimination.

A date will now be set for a hearing on what compensation should be awarded.

Prof Krukowski said: "I am very pleased they found in my favour, but very disappointed at the way my career ended. I spent more than 40 years looking after the patients of Grampian.

"I would just like to move on. I wanted my day in court, I have had it. Everybody has to look to the future."

'Disappointed with decision'

NHS Grampian said in a statement: "While we are conscious that this case is continuing, we are pleased to note that Prof Krukowski's claims that he was dismissed or treated badly because he made health and safety disclosures, were dismissed and that the patient safety concerns he had raised were found to have been properly considered and investigated.

"His claim of race discrimination was also dismissed.

"We are disappointed with the tribunal's decision that Prof Krukowski's decision to resign amounted to a constructive dismissal. We will look to learn from the tribunal's comments on the processes and procedures followed and what changes could to be made."

In 2016, eight senior doctors - including Prof Krukowski - were cleared of wrongdoing after a series of investigations.

The General Medical Council launched an inquiry after medical staff were suspended during probes.

A report by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE) had described a "breakdown in functional working relationships", while a report from Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) called for an urgent restructuring of surgical ward teams.