A SACKED doctor has thanked his supporters for getting him through “the most challenging chapter of his life” following the end of his employment tribunal.

Winchester maternity consultant and obstetrician, Martyn Pitman, who was dismissed by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) earlier this year posted a statement of thanks after the end of the two-week hearing.

The case, against HHFT and former chief medical officer Dr Lara Alloway, concerned alleged whistleblowing disclosures made by Mr Pitman between March 2019 and July 2021, and the resulting detriments he claims he suffered.

The tribunal heard closing submissions at Southampton Magistrates Court on Monday, October 9.

READ MORE: Live updates as employment tribunal finishes for sacked doctor

Mr Pitman’s statement, posted on social media, read: "As the day of submission of the closing statements for my employment tribunal draws to a close, I feel that the time has come for me to break cover and to express my sincere thanks and gratitude.

"The last five years have been truly horrendous for us all. One that I would truly not wish upon anyone. I have been forced to visit the very darkest of places, that I never knew existed and so dearly wish I had never been forced to discover.

"I never even considered giving up. I never came close to yielding under the extreme pressure and stress that this horrendous process exposed me to. I owed it to so many people to see this through to its conclusion, in the genuine hope that justice will prevail and that accountability and much-needed change will result.

"I can do no more now to influence the outcome. I could have done no more in my pursuit of this ultimate goal.

"There are so many individuals that I need to thank, from the very bottom of my heart, for supporting, counselling and guiding me through this, the most challenging chapter of my life."

The 57-year-old from South Wonston goes on to thank his legal team, barrister Jack Mitchell and solicitor Rebecca Mahon, British Medical Association advisor Daniel Pebody and his colleagues, witnesses and former colleagues Michael Heard, Caroline Gee and Aznvik Madadi, thousands of Facebook supporters and his friends and family.

SEE ALSO: Tribunal into sacked Hampshire doctor who 'whistleblew' concerns comes to a close

The statement concluded: “I remain distinctly uncertain as to what the future holds for me realising that, to a significant extent, this will be influenced by the tribunal’s verdict in a month’s time.

“The stark realisation that this process had effectively terminated the career that I had thought so hard to obtain and had justifiably cherished, was desperately hard to accept.

“I remain hugely proud of my achievements and the many lives that I have positively influenced along the way. Above all, I genuinely hope that my actions and sacrifices will, over the passage of time, prove to have been worthwhile and will provoke positive change.

“Heartfelt and sincere thanks to you all.”

The tribunal panel, led by employment judge Jonathan Gray, has begun deliberating and expects to have a decision within 28 days.

A separate claim of unfair dismissal will be heard at a later unconfirmed date.