Suspended cardiologist Dr Muayad Alasady settles case against Canberra Health Services

Dr Muayad Alasady was suspended from working at the Canberra Hospital in 2022. Photo: Facebook.

The specialist cardiologist who started to sue Canberra Health Services (CHS) after he was suspended from working at the Canberra Hospital has settled his case out of court.

The CHS suspended Dr Muayad Alasady with pay in March 2022 during an investigation into his alleged behavioural misconduct.

An original preliminary assessment of the allegations included claims he had “repeatedly acted in an unreasonable manner” towards cardiology staff, which created an “unsafe environment” for CHS employees and patients.

Documents lodged with the Federal Court later in 2022 showed Dr Alasady had started suing the ACT Government and CHS, claiming the allegations against him were mishandled and thus breached a workplace agreement.

It was claimed his alleged inappropriate behaviour had either “already been dealt with”, that his manager could not be satisfied it was “in the public interest” to suspend him, and he was not informed of the reasons for his suspension or given “the opportunity to be heard”.

“The effect of the suspension decision is that the applicant [Dr Alasady] has suffered reputational harm and denied the opportunity to practise his profession in the employ of the first respondent [ACT Government],” the documents read.

While the matter was scheduled to begin in the Federal Court earlier this week, Dr Alasady and CHS issued a statement on Tuesday (3 September) in which they said they had “reached a mutually agreed resolution of the claims against the Territory and the officers of the Territory”.

Dr Muayad Alasady was photographed performing the first pulse field ablation procedure at the National Capital Private Hospital. Photo: Bryden Campbell.

“Dr Alasady was and remains employed at North Canberra Hospital, and he will now also provide electrophysiology procedures for public patients on behalf of Canberra Health Services,” the statement says.

“This will benefit public patients within the ACT and surrounds by ensuring access to specialist electrophysiology services that Dr Alasady provides and has provided for many years.

“This will contribute to patient care which Canberra Health Services provides for the benefit of all Territorians.”

The statement goes on to say that Dr Alasady and CHS “are committed to continuing to work together into the future”.

As the matter was settled, it has brought an end to the court proceedings.