The North Eastern Health Board has asked the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) to consider whether two surgeons suspended from Cavan General Hospital last year could be redeployed at other hospitals.
The two consultants, Dr Pawan Rajpal and Dr William Joyce, were suspended last August as a result of severe interpersonal difficulties.
Prof Arthur Tanner, director of surgical affairs at the RCSI, said yesterday the health board request was considered by the RCSI's council and it decided it would be "a noble thing for the college to do".
Before looking at redeploying the surgeons to other hospitals, however, the RCSI approached both doctors. One said he did not wish the RCSI to become involved and one said he was very happy for the RCSI to look at the possibility of redeploying him at a different hospital.
Prof Tanner would not divulge which surgeon did not wish the RCSI to become involved but the Irish Medical News reported yesterday that Dr Rajpal was firmly against the move, believing that accepting such a redeployment would be an admission of guilt. Earlier this month, Dr Rajpal succeeded in the the High Court in having a decision of the Minister for Health in August 2003 to appoint a committee to inquire into his proposed removal overturned.
Mr Justice Kearns held that the chief executive of the North Eastern Health Board, Mr Paul Robinson, had not adhered to fair procedures when seeking the establishment of the committee. Mr Robinson had also misconstrued his functions under the Health Act, 1970.
Prof Tanner said the RCSI had now approached a number of surgical units to see if they would consider taking on one of the suspended surgeons, understood to be Dr Joyce. "It's quite an undertaking to approach the major surgical units in the country. They would have to discuss the pros and cons and if they need the extra manpower.
"I'm still waiting for some to come back before we can prepare a report for the health board. I would have thought we should have an answer by the beginning of next week," he said.
There has never been any question over the clinical competence of either surgeon and if one were to depart Cavan hospital, as now seems likely, it could bring an end to the controversy.