A hospital consultant has tendered his resignation in protest at the suspension of private medical services.

In his resignation letter, seen by the Manx Independent, the consultant cardiologist said the cessation of private practice was the ’final nail in the coffin’.

And in a hard-hitting broadside at hospital bosses, he wrote: ’This is without doubt the most dictatorial, confrontational and intransigent management structure that I have ever had the misfortune to work with.’

The consultant, who we have chosen not to name, added: ’I have no intention of staying to see what happens next. I am intending to leave this organisation by April 2019 but I may choose to go earlier if I can find alternative employment in the interim.

’There will be no discussion or renegotiation of my position or decision to leave.’

The consultant said the decision to suspend private healthcare services reinforced his view that management has ’no respect for the clinicians they employ, no ability or desire to communicate with its employees, no desire to discuss or negotiate issues of mutual concern’.

He added that he would go as far to say that the management stance showed ’a complete inability to even listen to the serious clinical concerns of its employees when raised’.

A hospital insider claims that the DHSC has other motives for closing the private patients’ unit.

He told the Manx Independent: ’The reason the Health Minister has put a moratorium on private work at the hospital is not a refurb of the whole private service but partly a patient safety issue and partly because some consultants have treated the health service as a cash cow for decades.

’Private practice is costing the hospital a fortune and the beneficiaries are the consultants indulging in this quagmire.’

Health Minister David Ashford categorically denied this was the case.

He said: ’It’s not just a quick refurb and a slap of paint, it’s a complete rebranding and relaunch and we may be looking for third parties to work with us as well.

’The 12 to 18 months is a maximum period. If it can be done earlier or quicker then obviously we would look to do so if that was practical.

’Alongside this, we would be looking to establish separate admin systems and provide more transparency for patients on what they are paying for and introduce a code of practice for private patients.’

He said his reference to blurring of lines related to the issue of the private unit being used on occasions as if it is just another ward.

Mr Ashford (pictured above) said he was unaware of any resignation or indeed any potential legal action.

He added: ’I can categorically state this has nothing to do with "saving money", "abuses of system", "patient safety" etc.

’I am not aware of any abuses of the system and most definitely this has never been a consideration in this decision.

’It is purely a decision based on improving and enhancing the private patients offering in the island and giving people what these days they expect for their money.

’Over the last few days I have been contacted by numerous people who use the service who are supportive of the move, also several fly themselves to the UK for treatment as they say what we currently offer is not worth the money.

’This is about putting the patient first and at the heart of what we do, providing a modern fit for purpose offering that people paying for private medical care should be able to expect. I believe longer term it will benefit those consultants undertaking private work as it will increase demand for the service.’

The BMA said it would not be commenting publicly on the matter but will be responding ’appropriately’.