A Polish cardiologist working in the NHS has been suspended after failing his tenth attempt to pass English language exams. According to Mail Online, this marks Dr. Tomasz Fryzlewicz’s fifth attempt over 18 years, as colleagues at Princess Alexandra Hospital, University College London Hospital, Royal Stoke University Hospital, and Good Hope Hospital struggled to understand him.
Dr. Fryzlewicz, 65, who moved to the UK in 2006, claims he is a victim of a “witch hunt,” despite being labeled a potential danger to patients. He was required to report to the doctors’ regulator annually and stated that he tried to improve his English by watching TV and listening to the radio.
Initially allowed to work under supervision, Dr. Fryzlewicz faced a six-month suspension after failing to improve his English at his third tribunal in 2017. He was readmitted in 2018 but suspended again in 2020 for 12 months, and laid off for an additional ten months in 2021. In 2022, he returned to work with the condition of passing an English exam within 18 months. However, he was suspended again in 2023 for 12 months after failing the tests twice in eight months.
At his latest tribunal, he received another year-long suspension and was offered another chance to pass the exams. While he cannot be struck off for language issues, a hearing is scheduled for next year.
Colleagues have expressed concerns about his communication skills. Dr. Simon Woldman, clinical director of specialized cardiology at Barts NHS Trust, noted, “When I spoke to Dr. Fryzlewicz, I was never really sure that he had understood the instructions he was being given.”
Dr. Fryzlewicz has criticized GMC investigators as “un-humanitarian bureaucrats” and claims to be a victim of “indirect discrimination” due to his nationality, suggesting that he is being targeted because he is a Polish Catholic consultant earning money in the UK.
He contends that many consultants he worked with have recognized the accusations against his language skills as unfounded. He stated, “All documents proving this have been shown many times by the medical employment tribunal body.”
Previously, he was dismissed from both Princess Alexandra Hospital and University College London Hospital due to concerns over his language proficiency. Counsel for the GMC, Miss Emma Gilsenan, expressed concern over Dr. Fryzlewicz’s attitude towards the regulator and his lack of progress in addressing the issues raised.
MPTS chairman Mr. Sean Kyne highlighted the absence of satisfactory test scores and evidence of any efforts made by Dr. Fryzlewicz to resolve the concerns. He emphasized that to move forward positively, Dr. Fryzlewicz must shift his focus to addressing the present challenges in his practice.