Martyn Pitman, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist for hospitals in Winchester and Andover, was sacked by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at the beginning of March.

An employment tribunal is due to be held later this year.

Former staff believe his forced departure was on the grounds of him being a whistle blower, who spoke up for midwives and patient safety after a three-year “witch hunt” by the NHS trust.

Retired sonographer and one of Martyn’s old colleagues, Jacky Maltby, 70, said: “My understanding is that Martyn had a meeting and raised concerns about staffing levels and consequent patient safety. Somehow the focus of the complaint shifted onto Martyn himself and his interactions with staff.”

READ MORE: Mum-of-four Melanie Smart thanks Martyn Pitman who 'saved her life'

Winchester resident Lynda Emptage has created the Facebook Group ‘Friends of Martyn Pitman’ for people to share their “outrage” and push for a review of what happened.

The group created on April 22 already has more than 360 members, with a growing number of stories of how the doctor saved people’s lives, their babies and how poorly he has been treated.

Lynda first formed the group to alert people that Mr Pitman was no longer working and give him a boost from public support, but she has been overwhelmed with the reaction.

She said: “Reading all the messages, it’s amazing. I don’t know any other human being that would have elicited that response. It speaks volumes.

“Martyn has looked after me for 20 years, without him we may not have had our beloved Jake and I am horrified to learn more of the way he has been treated. He saved my life.

“I’ve been able to piece together parts of what has happened through my experience of being a patient and through friends in the NHS.”

The Micheldever resident shared that Martyn was electrocuted by a piece of faulty equipment back in 2020 and was rushed to hospital. Upon his return the equipment was still there so Mr Pitman demanded all the kit should be recalled and checked.

Lynda continued: “He became a whistle-blower and has since been undermined and scrutinised as such. Apparently, the grounds on which they fired him were a ‘significant other reason’.

“Fundamentally it looks like that because he spoke up on patient safety he was dismissed. I was absolutely outraged when I found out.

“He’s so well loved and respected and has an exemplary career history. Martyn’s career has been destroyed, he’s got no means of an income and the practical side of it is the NHS can’t afford to lose doctors like that.”

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Recently retired midwife and colleague of Martyn’s for more than 20 years, Derinell Haikney, recalled Martyn being asked to leave back in May 2019, for more than a year, while the trust decided on his employment.

Derinell, 61, who worked at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital for 33 years, said: “My understanding is that he spoke to management about concerns that the midwives had about working conditions and because he spoke up, they disciplined him. There’s been rumours around what happened but no one knows the full truth. It was definitely a witch hunt.

“Martyn is broken. He feels he’s let down the women and the midwives in the area because he can no longer be a voice.

“He’s exemplary. He was only confrontational for the better of the service. I can’t think of any midwife that works there that would think that this is a good outcome. Everybody is horrified. It’s almost as if a handful of people decided they didn’t like him.

“I completely understand why people are reluctant to talk. It makes me cry reading some of the comments. It’s a fabulous unit that has been ruined by a few.”

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) is unable to comment in detail due to an employment tribunal being due in October.

A spokesperson said: “HHFT takes all complaints, including grievances and whistleblowing made by its staff, extremely seriously. Each is handled impartially, professionally and in line with robust policies. In certain cases, this includes the commissioning of independent reports/ reviews by outside experts to ensure the highest levels of scrutiny. In addition, every effort is made to support the health and well-being of those involved in what can be a challenging process.

“We do not comment on cases relating to individual employees or former employees, particularly where there are ongoing processes.”

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Following the statement, an NHS worker, who asked to remain anonymous, revealed staff had been advised not to speak to the press or make any comments on social media regarding Martyn.

An email addressed to colleagues was later shared on the ‘Friends of Martyn Pitman’ page, in which the trust warned staff that a story was likely to appear in the media. The email read: “Needless to say this has been an incredibly difficult time for all those involved, and I know that many of you may have been colleagues of Martyn.

“Whilst I am limited in what I can say at this current time in order to maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of all involved, I want to share with you that we are confident that our actions have been correct and in accordance with both our policies and our values. This includes – as some of you may be aware – a number of external, independent reviews commissioned by the trust relating to the matters raised.”

A colleague of more than 20 years, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The senior management team have attempted to create a wall of silence around Martyn’s leave, investigation, and dismissal.

“He was our strongest advocate for keeping maternity services safe and not becoming a corporate machine. I've seen all grades of staff dismissed over the years from care assistants to consultants and there has never been this wall of secrecy surrounding the reasons. And also never such an outcry from colleagues.

“Martyn has been an absolutely amazing colleague to have - he is highly skilled, very knowledgeable, extremely approachable and always willing to go the extra mile for both staff and patients. For years he has been the overwhelming choice of consultant for pregnant staff of all grades - that says more than anything else. His loss makes Winchester maternity services a poorer place indeed.”

Emma Trinder, of Bereweeke Way, had a “nightmare pregnancy” over Christmas in 2015. As her consultant, Mr Pitman demanded the mother waited until they had the right equipment for her to give birth safely. Emma, 44, said: “I had really early bleeds and Martyn was amazing from the beginning. My pregnancy was so scary and he was always there if I needed him.

“I wasn’t allowed further than down the road so I went to the County Arms for my Christmas lunch. Martyn saved my life. He’s just incredible and deserves his name cleared.

“He’s been dismissed under a black cloud and that’s not right. I would like an independent review into the whole thing to check things have done as they should have been, which would undoubtedly clear Martyn Pitman. He is a man of integrity.”

At least 42 people have written to Winchester MP Steve Brine to push for an independent review.

Mr Pitman's family said they were unable to comment at this time.

Here are just a few of the posts shared on the Facebook page:

Laura Thomas, from Winchester, said: "I feel many of us will have similar pictures of Martyn Pitman giving us and our babies the absolute best care when we were at our most vulnerable. Thank you for listening and giving us the best birth experience in the circumstances, we are eternally grateful and so hope this can support the case for an independent review."

Jim Herbert said: “I have a close long-standing friendship with Martyn, and I can honestly say that you will not find a more genuine, dedicated and loyal person. I also saw him in action over Christmas as a family member was in hospital, which was both inspiring and beyond reassuring.

“I have witnessed the hideous treatment he has been subjected to for the last three plus years, and watched as the trust carry out one jaw-dropping action after another. We all now know Martyn’s story and along with everyone I am staggered at how a government organisation funded by us, the taxpayer, is somehow enabled to behave in a way that breaches just about every HR, professional and personal standard I can think of. “

Fran Hallam, from Winchester, said: “I find what has happened to Martyn quite inexplicable and unforgivable. As many have also said, he is an invaluable and respected obstetrician, with so many years of experience and knowledge, also a very kind and supportive colleague. But never afraid to speak up and be passionate on standards of care.

“His treatment has left many of the staff afraid to speak out on concerning issues that should be investigated. Martyn was always very kind to me and always had time to talk through any worries with my caseload, I consider him to be a man of absolutely integrity.”

Charlie Brown, from Andover, said: “I first met this wonderful man almost 21 years ago when I had my baby at 27 weeks, not only did he delivery him safely he then was my consultant for my pregnancies that followed.

“I’m so sad to hear of his awful situation and angry he is having to go through something so unnecessary. I hope you can summon the strength to fight for yourself (and the others as you always have done ) and continue to be a truly wonderful human”

Lorraine Edwards said: "I had the pleasure of working alongside Martyn when I was first a student and then a midwife at Winchester for a number of years. He was amazing with the women that he looked after, professional, supporting, kind and caring. He was always helpful, able to give advice when I asked for it but supported the midwives in their own profession and judgement of their care of the women.

"What a shame that someone who has so many years of experience and expertise has had this happen when he has spoken out for others. Isn’t it what we as professionals are meant to do, speak up not only for the women who we are looking after but the people we work with and the general public? Supporting you Martyn in any way I can."

Hannah Horsfield said: “Others have expressed so eloquently the feelings we all share when we think of Martyn. He was always the kindest of clinicians and had time for anyone, regardless of who you were. His passion, dedication, knowledge and empathy were and still is second to none. He is a colleague and a friend and someone who never deserved any of this.

“As a midwife, I knew he always put the safety of his patients and the team he worked alongside first. It was hugely reassuring to know he was so supportive both clinically and on a personal level. To this day, having worked in various different countries within midwifery, there are no safer hands to be in than his.

“An independent review is crucial. Martyn and family, please know so many stand with you all. Please don’t give up.”