The Queen’s former surgeon broke down in tears yesterday as his letter of resignation was read out on the third day of an employment tribunal.
Professor Zygmunt Krukowski claims he was unfairly dismissed by NHS Grampian and the health board’s treatment of him left his career in limbo.
He was suspended from his role at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following an investigation into his conduct at the hospital in 2015.
The senior medic was cleared by the General Medical Council (GMC) of any wrongdoing in July 2016 but left the health board shortly afterwards.
As the tribunal continued yesterday, NHS Grampian’s counsel, Ian Truscott QC, read out passages from Professor Krukowski’s witness statement, which included references to his resignation letter.
In the letter, Mr Krukowski wrote that he had resigned after allegations made about his conduct, calling them “the last straw”.
He also cited the board’s “continued failing” to allow him to access documents before one of his hearings.
Mr Krukowski broke down in tears when he was asked to elaborate and the hearing was adjourned for a short time.
Earlier in the tribunal, he claimed NHS Grampian had failed to adequately consider alternatives to suspension – such as working in an alternative hospital or with another NHS board.
He said: “This should have been done beforehand.
“There was no evidence that there was anything else that they had considered as an alternative to suspension.”
When asked by Mr Truscott if he had been opposed to working with another health board, Mr Krukowski said: “I said my preference was to work in ARI but I was happy to work wherever I was placed.”
He claimed health bosses had said there was the possibility of relocating to Elgin.
But he added: “When I contacted Elgin, they denied any approach from NHS Grampian.
“They would have welcomed my placement since they were short staffed.
“That is one example of how I was misled.”
Also giving evidence yesterday was Doctor Izhar Khan, who described himself as a family friend and colleague of one surgeon Professor Krukowski is claimed to have had difficulties with.
When asked by Mr Truscott if the surgeon had ever raised any issues about his treatment by Mr Krukowski, Dr Khan answered: “He did on one occasion.
“He said he has been spoken to brusquely by Professor Krukowski.”
Dr Khan said he had later been contacted by his friend on a number of occasions and made aware of “unfair treatment”.
He said his friend had eventually been encouraged by NHS Grampian to make a complaint under the terms of the health board’s bullying and harassment policy.
The tribunal continues.
