German doctors walk out after just two NHS operations

Surgeons are calling for the health service to stop using temporary overseas staff after a group of German doctors walked out after two operations, leaving cataract patients waiting for surgery.

The team of Germans working at Cannock Community Hospital in Staffordshire was one of the first groups of "flying doctors" brought in to do simple operations and relieve pressure on waiting lists.

But the hospital's permanent surgeons have claimed the visitors arrived only an hour before they were due to start work, and left after carrying only two of five scheduled operations.

They have written to the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust alleging the visiting medics used potentially indefensible procedures and their actions risked an "unacceptable level of care" for patients.

"We welcome the use of overseas surgeons so long as they are appropriately integrated into the NHS. It is the use of visiting rather than resident overseas surgeons that is our concern.

"Surely NHS funds would be far better spent on developing local resources than on expensive inefficient and high-risk schemes using visiting overseas surgeons," their letter says.

One of the consultants told Hospital Doctor magazine: "We believe the surgeon walked out because the procedures involved were too complex, although no one is prepared to give us any explanation. We are very angry at the way that this whole situation has been handled."

The Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust said it was reviewing its use of overseas surgeons. "This first weekend was a pilot for the substantive initiative. Until a full review of this pilot has been completed it would be inappropriate for the Trust to comment further," a spokesman said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said the recruitment of overseas surgeons was successfully allowing a number of NHS Trusts to make progress in reducing waiting times. She said: "Five teams are in place, including a London-wide project at Central Middlesex hospital where at least 1,200 patients will have been treated by the end of this year.

"Clinicians have been recruited from France, Germany, Italy and South Africa."