A surgeon at Cavan General Hospital who was at the centre of controversy after he was suspended in 2003 said yesterday he has been left with no option by the Health Service Executive (HSE) but to tender his resignation.
Liam Joyce has never returned to work at Cavan since his suspension in August 2003, even though his suspension was lifted by the Minister for Health in December 2004. He said this was because the HSE tried to impose preconditions on his return to work. The High Court heard his suspension had been as a result of "interpersonal difficulties" with another surgeon. Mr Joyce settled his action with the HSE last October over its attempt to impose conditions on his return.
Last week Mr Joyce got a letter from the HSE directing him to return to work this week or he would be in breach of his contract. He said the HSE's refusal to meet him on "matters related to patient and staff safety" in advance of his return, and the threat to terminate his contract if he did not comply with the HSE's instruction, "left me with no other alternative dignified response but to offer my resignation".
A spokeswoman for the HSE North Eastern Area confirmed it had received a letter of resignation from Mr Joyce.