Tribunal sides with Darlington Memorial Hospital

Jun 26 2011 by Rachel Wearmouth, Sunday Sun

A DOCTOR who hit out at colleagues in a blazing temper was not unfairly dismissed for his conduct, a tribunal has ruled.

Dr Herwig Thibaut was a radiologist at Darlington Memorial Hospital before he was sacked in April last year when he kicked a doorstop across a room after flying into a rage during a row.

The “above average” clinician took County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust to an employment tribunal, claiming he was bullied and health chiefs did not allow for the part his depression played in his actions.

It was revealed the Belgian doctor was on a final warning after behaving inappropriately towards staff in September 2007.

He was threatening towards staff twice, one time “shouting and hitting his hands on a table and approaching radiographers in a very aggressive manner”.

The situation came to a head in January last year when Dr Thibaut raged at another professional, intimidating him and kicking a doorstop when they clashed over a patient’s treatment.

He felt his sacking for the outburst was “unfair” and that he had been misunderstood, blaming his actions on his “professional” approach and his condition.

He also claimed his colleague had not done his job properly.

He said: “There may have been an altercation, which on my part was a result of my prime professional concern for the safety and well-being of a patient (i.e. essential of my duties as a radiologist).

“The doctor had not measured a malignant brain tumour and this could have implications for the patient.

“My concern for this patient may have led him to misinterpret the altercation and me raising my voice.”