Legal action being taken by axed Australian Craniofacial Unit surgeon
A SENIOR surgeon has started legal action against SA Health amid an ongoing battle about the future of the Australian Craniofacial Unit.
A SENIOR surgeon who was not reappointed to the Australian Craniofacial Unit has started legal action against SA Health over its recruitment process, amid an ongoing battle about the unit’s future.
Professor David David, who founded the celebrated unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and is South Australian of the Year, has raised concerns about its future since he stepped down.
He is particularly concerned the senior surgeon was not reappointed, as he believes he is the best person for the job.
Prof David on Tuesday said the loss of the surgeon was “a major setback for the unit’s multidisciplinary services”.
“It’s a highly successful organisation.
If it’s going to be altered, there should be a reason given,” he said.
Speaking on ABC radio on Wednesday morning, Professor David added that the surgeon “was considered to not be the best candidate by a committee that did not include me and I was never asked for references by anybody.”
“The succession plan was completely butchered”
“If you are going to take something that is working well in a different direction that decision ought to be taken very high up.”
“The biggest issue was that for years we have bridged the gap between the dental school oral surgery, which is a sister discipline in this, by special training and creating a Master’s Degree and local surgeons.”
In Question Time on Tuesday, Opposition frontbencher Kyam Maher asked Health Minister Stephen Wade if an independent review had addressed concerns that “a senior oral surgeon was pushed out of his position as a visiting medical officer at the unit without even an interview”.
Mr Wade replied: “Let’s put it this way — if it doesn’t address the concerns in relation to (the doctor), it hasn’t answered the questions I raised, so I certainly expect it to.
“I am advised that SA Health has had contact from (the doctor’s) legal representatives.
“Considering that the nub of Prof David’s concerns related to the appointment process, it was certainly important for myself and the Government to be assured that due process had been undertaken.
“I look forward to reading the independent review.
“I will consider the report and make a statement after I have considered it.”
Mr Wade said the unit “continues to be guided by the manifesto written by Dr David”.
But Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton claimed the Government had made no progress on any of the issues that were raised by Prof David.