The GSD says it has been informed that yet another hospital surgeon has decided to leave, this time from the Orthopaedics department.

A spokesman for the Opposition said: "It follows the resignation of three consultant surgeons last year and an unprecedented morale survey conducted by doctors, which showed significant problems with the morale of doctors and a lack of confidence in the management of the GHA.

"This latest resignation will lead to yet further reliance on locums and the GSD is concerned that it will impact on an already high level of cancellation of operations and waiting times.

"There were 362 cancellations of operations in 2016, which is a continuation of the upward trend in cancellations since 2014. For example, as at the end of March 2014 there were 249 cancellations and a year later that figure had jumped by nearly 100 to 346.

"This latest resignation is also bound to have an impact of the performance of the Orthopaedics department, where average waiting times for routine referrals ranged from 12 to 14 months, which is extraordinarily high."

Daniel Feetham, the Leader of the Opposition, said: “The Opposition will continue to reach out to service users and health care professionals and drive the health of our community to the top of the political agenda.

"The Government is failing and losing direction on the delivery of healthcare in our community. It is not surprising that there is a problem with morale amongst staff at the hospital.”

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