From Mr T. Bonello

Reference is made to the article entitled “Radiologist-less” (TMIS, 1 May). The newspaper may wish to verify the reliability of the information it obtains from its sources prior to publication, as this article is incorrect and moreover misleading.

Dr Malcolm Crockford resigned as chairman of the Radiologist Department and Consultant Radiologist on 19 December 2004.

At the time Dr Schranz had already served as a consultant in Malta for a year. However, on 1 October 2004 he availed himself of a six-month period of emigration leave.

In March 2005 he decided to return to Malta on his own initiative but unfortunately his return was short-lived, as he has now tendered his resignation effective 30 May 2005. He is at present still working within the department.

There is absolutely no connection between the resignation of the chairman of Radiology and the return to Malta of Dr Schranz and the health authorities deny that one was brought over as a substitute for the other. Facts showed that they were both in employment contemporaneously and hence no replacement was made.

Tonio Bonello

Head Information/Communications

Mater Dei Hospital