Reinstated Kerry consultant returns to work after three weeks

A Kerry-based consultant has returned to work after being suspended over three weeks ago.

Dr Martin Schranz, a consultant radiologist at University Hospital Kerry, was back at work in UHK on Monday on foot of an agreement reached with hospital management late last week.

Dr Schranz, an outspoken critic of hospital management on social media, said he was “happy out” to be back at work but declined to comment further.

It is understood that while Dr Schranz has been reinstated, his activities are restricted, under the terms of the agreement reached between him and representatives of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association with UHK.

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Speaking before Christmas, Dr Schranz said he was given no notice of his suspension on December 22nd, which he said took place in front of other staff. He described allegations about his work made by hospital management as frivolous and without foundation. He also claimed management was trying to prevent him seeing private patients through his own radiology service, where he charges a nominal €30 fee for scans.

He said that on being told he was being placed on administrative leave, he had to collect belongings and leave the hospital immediately.

The suspension occurred after he had made a submission to Health Service Executive chief executive Bernard Gloster, in accordance with HSE’s policy for protected disclosures, he said.

UHK has declined to comment “on the contractual arrangements relating to any member of staff”.

Dr Schranz (57), from Malta, first worked in the Irish health service in 1994.

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