It is obvious from statements by the other orthopaedic surgeons and doctors working with Dr Phoon, as well as patients, that he is a very respected and capable surgeon, one we can ill afford to lose in this time of medical crisis and hospital mismanagement, particularly in a regional area.

I am a patient of Dr Phoon and have been on a waiting list for nearly a year to have a knee replacement. I was due to have this done in early May. The first I heard that Dr Phoon is being dismissed was in social media, no letter of notification or apology from the hospital board of management. This is very poor form and not a good look for the new regional hospital, particularly as Dr Phoon’s predecessor was also arbitrarily dismissed despite public outrage.

I think the hospital board should be dismissed or upgraded, and this decision regarding Dr Phoon be retracted unless there is evidence, available to us, his community and the public, sufficient to justify such a dismissal. There is no room for personal or political vindictiveness on the part of the board. We need more doctors willing to work in regional areas, not less. We need less “management” and poor decision-making from faceless bureaucrats.

This dispute is about money and egos.  The board is trying to pull our local specialists into line through trying to use standard employment contracts which are simply not appropriate for specialists in our region.  

Where is the justifiable requirement for the change?  What exactly are the cogent reasons the board claims for its position over these new contracts?

So Chris Phoon has been agitating for improved standards in patient care, management accountability and professional standards.  Oh dear, the hide and temerity of the man!  He actually wants to improve things for the people of this region! He ought to be flogged and put into stocks outside the hospital entrance for a few days!

I've seen government administration at very close levels over many years.  I will always allocate money to health needs before administration.  And so should the Minister.   

I am registering my dismay at Dr Phoon's dismissal. I have already been waiting for knee surgery for eight months, and finding it hard to get about even now.

I understood that it would be another 2-4 months before I could expect the surgery. Now how long will it be?

And will I now be operated on by just anyone, instead of a reputable, skilled, caring,surgeon, a campaigner for patient and staff rights.

Surely it is hard enough to get skilled surgeons to come live here, why sack one who has a settled life here, with a doctor wife contributing to the well being of the valley, and children growing up here. Madness. 

I wish to show my anger at the management of our fantastic new hospital.

Patient care is the primary concern of all but the hospital management, so it seems.  It's unfortunate that staff members cannot be seen to comment on the  inadequacies of the current management. 

Dr Chris Phoon, in my humble opinion, cannot be replaced. He shows patient empathy, pre and post operations (believe me I know) and his success rate is impressive.

Management appear to be “box tickers” with disregard for patients.  The non renewal of Dr Phoon's contract seems to smell of failure within management. 

It's management whose contracts should be cancelled and if an inquiry was to follow, I'm sure this would happen.