A heart surgeon who was sacked for allegedly bullying staff spent three years on gardening leave at a cost to the NHS of £600,000, it has emerged.
Peter O’Keefe, 49, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, has been paid his full salary of £95,000 since his suspension in April 2012.
Locum surgeons who took over his work cost the health trust a similar amount while officials investigated claims that Mr O’Keefe bullied and harassed hospital staff.
More than 40 colleagues had complained about the surgeon and yesterday the health board confirmed that he had been dismissed, saying his “standards of behaviour in the workplace constituted gross misconduct within the health board’s disciplinary rules”.
Mr O’Keefe, who was not available for comment, is considering an appeal against the decision, according to a friend who said: “He received a lot of support from doctor colleagues who recognised his contribution as a good surgeon. He’s taking some time away, but will decide on the next step in consultation with his barrister.”