HL Deb 19 April 2004 vol 660 c8WA
Baroness Knight of Collingtree

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, as a consequence of the suspension of Mr Terence Hope, any operations have been cancelled at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham; and [HL2150]

Whether they have anything to add to the answer given by Lord Warner to the Baroness Knight of Collingtree on 22 March (HL deb, col. 558): "I am reliably informed that there will be no detriment to patients because the work that that doctor was due to perform will be covered by his colleagues". [HL2151]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)

As indicated during the debate on 22 March, this is a matter for the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust.

I was however sorry to learn that contrary to the assurances given to me by the trust via the Trent Strategic Health Authority, a small number of operations were postponed as a result of Mr Hope's suspension. Those patients have since been contacted and have been offered rearranged dates. Mr Hope has since returned to work and the trust is due to review this issue to see what lessons can be learnt.