In a "highly unusual" process, the Southern District Health Board has proposed a formal first warning to a doctor and invited him to argue his case against it, the head of the senior doctors' union says.
Last week, Otago Daily Times reported Dunedin Hospital emergency department specialist Dr John Chambers was involved in a disciplinary process with the board because of an interview with the newspaper in July, in which Dr Chambers criticised a delay appointing a clinical leader to ED (a position still not filled). He also criticised reported comments of the DHB's chief executive.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell said the way in which the DHB had handled the matter was a first for the union.
"What I can say is that it's a highly unusual approach which I have never experienced."
Mr Powell said the board gave Dr Chambers and the union a period of time in which to argue a case for not receiving a formal first warning.
The union has written to the board, making its case, and awaits a response.
Usually in an employment matter, a formal first warning is issued, as part of a process, rather than the employer entering such a dialogue with the employee.
A spokesman for the board said it would not be commenting on the case, or the process.
