The Robert Schuman hospital group (HRS) has confirmed that it has fully and definitively terminated its contract with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Philippe Wilmes.
Speaking on RTL Radio on Wednesday morning, former health minister and LSAP MP Mars Di Bartolomeo had commented on the ongoing affair, suggesting that any action against Dr Wilmes remained provisional unless the HRS had reached a definitive decision.
Such a definitive decision had in fact already been taken earlier this month and communicated to Dr Wilmes by letter.
As a reminder, Dr Wilmes faces allegations of having performed cruciate ligament surgeries on patients without medical indication.
In the termination letter, the HRS informed Dr Wilmes that his contract was being ended “effective immediately” on “serious grounds,” stating that there was no longer any basis of trust between the hospital directorate and the surgeon.
The letter lays out in detail the specific accusations against the doctor, including what it characterises as “inappropriate behaviour.” Primarily, this concerns the alleged erroneous medical diagnoses that led to unnecessary knee surgeries. On this point, the HRS bases its position on a report by Paris-based specialist Dr Philippe Beaufils, who analysed nine patient files and concluded that professional errors had occurred on the basis of non-justified indications.
However, the contract termination is not solely based on the medical allegations.
The letter also accuses Dr Wilmes of having damaged the image and reputation of the HRS. It claims he mounted a “completely disproportionate and politicised” media campaign that seriously harmed the institution, its doctors, its staff, and their reputations.
The correspondence further describes the surgeon’s criticisms of Health Minister Martine Deprez and Prime Minister Luc Frieden as “completely inappropriate.”
The letter concludes by affirming the HRS directorate’s decision to definitively and immediately terminate all cooperation, stating that all trust had been destroyed in an irreparable manner. Additionally, the letter accuses Dr Wilmes of having breached his loyalty obligations towards the HRS and “practically violating” values such as respect and excellence.
As an appeal at the administrative court, as well as separate proceedings involving the Medical Board and the Ministry of Health, are still ongoing against Dr Wilmes, the presumption of innocence continues to apply.
At present, three experts are tasked with drawing up a report expected to be available after the Easter holidays. The experts are Dr Elvire Servien from Lyon, radiologist Alain Blum from Nancy, and French orthopaedist Jacques Hummer – the latter nominated by Dr Wilmes himself.
While he has been definitively dismissed by the HRS, Dr Wilmes remains temporarily suspended from performing surgeries until the end of April. He may still consult with patients, for instance at the new Findel-Medic facility at Findel Airport, which he co-founded.
