Hampshire consultant’s dismissal for whistleblowing is “unacceptable,” says BMA

A senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who was dismissed after raising patient safety concerns was sacked for whistleblowing, says the BMA, which is supporting his claim at an employment tribunal later this year.

Martyn Pitman, whose dismissal by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been upheld after an appeal, said that he was “crushed” to lose his job after 20 years as a consultant with the trust.

The BMA chair, Phil Banfield, commented, “Unfortunately, Mr Pitman’s case is not isolated and highlights a very worrying culture in our NHS—a culture of punishing those who dare to speak out about failings in patient safety. This needs to change, and …