REPLACEMENTS for respected Bega Valley orthopaedic surgeon Christoph Ahrens have apparently already been interviewed, with a decision yet to be announced.
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Dr Ahrens said he had heard two young Australian-trained surgeons had been interviewed in recent weeks as public consternation raged about the well-known surgeon’s contract.
Dr Ahrens’ contract finishes at the end of the year and unless there is a dramatic shift in thinking from the Southern NSW Local Health District management, he said this could be the end of the road for him and his family in the Bega Valley.
The German-trained orthopaedic surgeon was contracted to Bega’s “area of need” eight years ago, but in more recent years has been in a protracted battle with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Australian Orthopaedic Association over his registration as a college Fellow.
Despite plenty of public support and interest from local politicians, it looks as though that battle has come to an unfortunate end for the Ahrens family.
“We’ve gotten to the point where we can’t take this anymore,” he said.
“After eight years of service it’s just ‘bye’.
“We came here to settle and if we were asked to stay and had security of my position in writing we are happy to stay.
“But the lies have been unbelievable and it’s just too much.”
The SNSWLHD recently advertised for a replacement orthopaedic surgeon as Dr Ahrens’ contract finishes at the end of the year.
A spokesperson for the SNSWLHD confirmed it is proceeding with the recruitment process, but wouldn’t comment further on Dr Ahrens’ contract other than to say he had also been invited to apply for the position.
The outcome of the recruitment is not yet known and is potentially being delayed due to a review into the matter initiated by Member for Bega Andrew Constance last week.
“Christoph has received incredible support from local patients, many of which have contacted my office with letters of support dismayed that a surgeon of the calibre of Christoph is not looked upon as absolutely vital to our area by NSW Health,” Mr Constance said.
“To have the services of such an experienced and specialised surgeon in our local area is a talent we should be harnessing.
“In light of the community support I am seeking a review by NSW Health and ask that they reconsider Dr Ahrens situation.”
Dr Ahrens has repeatedly refused to sit the RACS Fellowship exam, which would involve testing him on procedures he is not likely to ever perform as a surgeon in Bega.
It would also mean a lengthy absence from his practice in order for the intense study and external courses he said would be required to prepare for the exam – in the order of at least six months.
“People say ‘why doesn’t he sit this exam and get on with it?’ – as if it’s a drivers licence,” Dr Ahrens said.
“I have to run a business here.”
With the uncertainty of his own position as well as to who would take over should the situation remain as it is, Dr Ahrens has concerns beyond his own job.
“I’ll definitely be working until my last day here,” he said.
“My patients I would only pass on to someone I know and trust like Dr Rajesh or Dr Nott, but with his [Dr Matthew Nott] already busy practice I don't know that he would be able to cope with my patients on top.
“But my employees are caught up in something they shouldn’t be caught in.
“There are more options in Bega than when I came here, but it is not easy for them to find work so I hope to push my office and employees on to whoever takes over.”