Queen Elizabeth Hospital cardiology boss Professor John Horowitz wished well for future
OUTSPOKEN Queen Elizabeth Hospital cardiology head Professor John Horowitz, who faces losing his job next week, was today offered a verbal compromise - but he says he wants it in writing after a history of fighting with SA Health bureaucrats.
SA HEALTH has taken the extraordinary step of issuing a general staff memo in light of Queen Elizabeth Hospital cardiology head Professor John Horowitz venting his anger publicly over losing his job.
The memo wishes him well - but confirms his contract ends on Wednesday.
The memo is signed by Central Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive Jenny Richter and University of Adelaide Dean of Health and Medical Sciences Professor Alastair Burt.
This morning Ms Richter rang Prof Horowitz hoping to work out a compromise but he said he wanted any such offer in writing, and without constraints of his criticisms of the health system.
Prof Horowitz, who has worked at the northwestern hospital for more than 30 years, has been a longstanding critic of the former State Government’s Transforming Health policy.
His efforts helped reverse a decision to shift QEH cardiology services to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but he says efforts to rebuild the services have been continually “white-anted” by bureaucrats.
His contract ends on October 31 and he has rejected a six-month extension saying he would simply have been an assistant in planning a new catheter lab rather than rebuilding the cardiology service.
He said he has received a notice of employment dismissal with a note saying he should take it to Centrelink.
Today’s staff memo refers to media reports on Prof Horowitz’s future.
“Whilst it is not appropriate to publicly comment on the employment arrangements of any staff member it is confirmed that Professor Horowitz will conclude his current contract on 31 October 2018,” it states.
“This is despite the offer of a contract extension and unconcluded negotiations.
“Prof Horowitz has been a long standing Head of the Cardiology Unit at TQEH. He has championed the health needs of the western suburbs community for many years whilst undertaking significant research projects in highly specialised cardiology areas.
“We wish Prof Horowitz all the best for the future. Formal acknowledgement of his service will take place at an appropriate time.
“Please be assured that TQEH will continue to provide safe and high quality 24/7 cardiology services to our patients and the wider western suburbs community.”
The memo says arrangements to cover the responsibilities of Prof Horowitz will include cardiologists being rostered between TQEH and RAH to ensure all clinics, ward rounds and interventional work are covered together with on call services for after hours emergencies.
After revealing the situation publicly on Friday, Prof Horowitz told advertiser.com.au he was telephoned by Ms Richter.
“She said she wanted to reach a compromise but after all the things that have been done to me I want it in writing, and I don’t want constraints put on me,” he said.
“My focus is on restoring cardiology services. I was told I am a disruptive influence but I take that as a compliment, depending on your agenda.
“I know it will take about two years but they only offered me a six month contract effectively as a helper in the catheter lab.
“I am hopping mad over all this.”
Prof Horowitz blames a power struggle within the hospital system for “sabotaging” his efforts to restore QEH cardiology services which includes loss of staff and equipment.”
“As an example, the QEH has two echocardiogram machines – the RAH has 23. And so it goes on,” he said.
In 2016, Prof Horowitz was suspended from duty for six months amid an investigation into his alleged misconduct.
At the time of his suspension Prof Horowitz said it was “highly likely’’ it had been prompted by his criticism of the state government’s plans to revamp the health system.
“It actually turned out that they said I was being rude to bureaucrats – I should have been given an accolade for standing up to people trying to wind down the QEH,” he said.
Another critic of changes to the health system, Professor Warren Jones, described Prof Horowitz’s treatment as a “scandal”.