A leading heart surgeon has won a fight to work again after the High Court overturned her suspension from an NHS hospital.
Professor Marjan Jahangiri, 56, was suspended from St George's hospital, Tooting, South London, for reportedly prioritising private patients over those from the NHS. It was also claimed that she shouted at a nurse.
However, according to Jahangiri, the first female professor of cardiac surgery in Europe, she was subjected to a "campaign of bullying and harassment." Apparently, Jahangiri was also sent a dead animal and a decapitated doll in the post.
The surgeon took legal action and asked a judge to lift the exclusion order.
Justice Nicklin QC on Tuesday (28) ruled in her favour and said he was not satisfied the order was necessary.
"Overall, the decision to exclude was irrational, in the public law sense," he said.
"She has been successful, she had been required to come to court to obtain the relief that she has obtained. While the impact of exclusion on an individual doctor is always likely to be severe, when a skilled and respected surgeon, about whom there are no concerns as to her ability, is excluded the consequences reach far beyond the individual."
Speaking outside the High Court, Jahangiri said she was looking forward to returning to her patients.
"I am delighted with today's judgement and very much look forward to returning to my patients, their families, my colleagues and my trainees. My priority, as it has always been, is combining excellent patient care with research and training.
"I am devoted to the NHS," she said.
Jacqueline Totterdell, chief executive at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said she was disappointed by the outcome, but respected it nonetheless.
"We are disappointed by the judgment issued today, but understand and respect it. We welcome that this ruling is not about guilt or exoneration, and the judge made no finding on the facts being investigated.
"He has said that the exclusion process was not appropriate, but has allowed the trust to continue its investigation into very serious issues raised."
