Consultant radiologist suspended by University Hospital Kerry 'paraded like a criminal through the halls'

Martin Schranz Consultant Radiologist at University Hospital Kerry

A consultant radiologist has been suspended by University Hospital Kerry (UHK) and he believes it is because of a critical message he shared online. 

Martin Schranz, the only senior radiologist in the department, told the Irish Examiner he was suspended without notice on December 22 and escorted out of the building.

“I don’t know why, they haven’t said,” he said.

“I don’t know the reason for the suspension. It could be a valid reason, and if so then I will accept it and go through the [usual] processes.” 

However, he thinks it is “definitely” linked to a tweet on X, formerly known as Twitter, on December 18.

Sharing a photograph of an empty drinks vending machine, he wrote: “The disrespect in @hospital_kerry , you can't even get a cold bottle of water on a 24 hour shift , even if you're parched and you are willing to pay for it. Be kind they tell us.” 

He said: “When the tweet went out, it went viral and they were just shocked by it.” 

He was previously cautioned about social media use.

“There could be a reason they have not given me, but it must have been something dramatic to warrant me being paraded down like a criminal through the halls, in front of all my staff,” he said.

He described his treatment as “cruel” saying security did not allow him return for forgotten items.

Mr Schranz has worked for the HSE for 30 years, including almost 15 in Tralee.

He has publicly highlighted waiting lists, and offers access to scans through a separate out-of-hours clinic taking GP referrals.

The “vast majority” are public patients with the remainder private, he said.

Minutes seen by the Irish Examiner show that UHK managers met him on December 15 to discuss this clinic.

They raised concerns about his health, hours worked by non-medical staff, and “excessive” referring for MRIs.

He was told: “Your volumes are excessive. I understand your motivation, but you are just trying to play the hero here.” 

Mr Schranz said: “They said I have this hero complex, that 'he wants everything', but this is not true.” 

He added: “We have to offer a solution, we can’t let people wait for their scans. That is something I won’t accept.” 

In October, he met HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster and head of the National Office for Protected Disclosures for the HSE Gary Russell. 

His union is supporting him.

The hospital said: “University Hospital Kerry (UHK) cannot publicly comment on the contractual arrangements relating to any member of staff.”