A CONSULTANT unfairly suspended for raising concerns about hospital safety has warned his experience could put off fellow whistleblowers.

Dr Damon Niekrash was suspended by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Trust in 2008 after he wrote a series of letters to hospital chiefs highlighting problems including department closures and staff reductions.

An employment tribunal last year ruled the suspension was unjustified, but the cost of fighting his case has left the urologist £142,500 out of pocket.

He was given compensation of just £17,500 and, despite losing an appeal to have that figure increased last month, has applied for a further hearing.

The consultant said: “Nobody in their right mind would come forward and complain. Why would you? It would make no sense at all.

“There’s nothing in law that protects the individual.”

News Shopper: Protestors marched to Queen Elizabeth Hospital He revealed that he may have to represent himself at the next hearing because of the high cost of legal fees.

Dr Niekrash said: “There’s nothing in place at all that stops anyone being put in the same situation as me.”

He has been backed in his struggle by Helen Ellis who runs the Niekrash Law group. That group recently held a protest outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital calling for a change in its management.

A spokesman for the South London Healthcare Trust, which now runs the hospital, said: “We have publicly apologised to Mr Niekrash for his wrongful suspension under the previous trust.

“We are pleased that there are now measurable improvements in the quality and safety of our patient care."

To contact Niekrash Law email londonlink@hotmail.com