A hospital consultant who won a legal challenge against his ’unlawful’ exclusion from doing NHS work at Noble’s Hospital has now resigned.

Dr Emran Khan, who was awarded costs of £36,000 from the Department of Health and Social Care following a high court hearing in October, is now focusing on his private practice.

He was initially suspended on full pay on a precautionary basis on July 2 last year, pending an investigation into claims he was carrying out his private practice work during his NHS time.

But an investigation by an independent agency found no basis to pursue the claims.

And there was no suggestion whatsoever that Dr Khan was not competent or presented any risk whatsoever to his patients.

Consultant physician Dr Khan, a specialist in diabetes and endocrinology, who had been clinical director at Noble’s for 10 years, denied all claims. He continued his private practice while on suspension but relocated off NHS premises.

In a judgment, Deemster Andrew Corlett ordered that the DHSC must not continue to implement its decision to exclude Dr Khan from his NHS work at Noble’s Hospital.

He warned that any breach of the order may result in a fine or imprisonment for contempt of court. Health Minister David Ashford confirmed that Dr Khan had left the organisation a week or so ago.

The private patients’ unit at Noble’s Hospital closed on January 7, as part of a planned upgrade.

In-patient and day case private medical treatment, and private operations will be suspended for up to 18 months while the work is carried out.

Private consultations at Noble’s will continue as will diagnostic investigations, such as blood tests, radiological imaging and endoscopy.