‘Whistleblower’ claims he was intimidated by the NHS

A cancer consultant who drew attention to a host of problems at an NHS hospital has claimed that he was the victim of a bullying campaign as a result of his observations.

Ramon Niekrash was expelled from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich after raising concerns over the effects of cost-cutting. These included too many patients, too few senior doctors and greater risk of infections in the building.

He also highlighted the case of one man who was apparently not informed that he had prostate cancer or given treatment for six months after diagnosis.

The reason for Mr Niekrash’s dismissal was cited as him being “too difficult”.

“As a result of my disclosures, I was subjected to bullying, harassment and ultimately I was excluded in an unprecedented punitive action,” he told an employment tribunal.

This news comes after shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said that the NHS is “ill prepared” for a second wave of swine flu this winter and claimed that there are not enough beds available for those who may need them.