Heart surgeon Albert Fenech is formally demanding that the process to separate the cardiac surgery and cardiology departments be stopped.

In a judicial protest against the Health Minister, Mr Fenech noted that, in 1995, he had been put in charge of the Cardiac Surgery Department and Alex Manché ran the Cardiology Department.

Administrative and coordinative issues detrimental to patients led to a decision, a few years down the line, for the two departments be amalgamated.

The Department for Cardiac Services was set up, which he chaired until reaching retirement age. He was succeeded by Mr Manché after a selection process.

Mr Fenech said that, two weeks ago, a call was issued in The Government Gazette for applications for the post of chairman of the Cardiology Department.

The notice indicated the Health Minister had unilaterally decided to again split the department and take the clock back 19 years.

He said that the decision irked nine of the 11 consultants who opposed the decision because of the negative and detrimental impact it would have on patients.

According to Mr Fenech, the minister made the decision without any consultation with practitioners or communication with the chairman.

He said that, above all, he had an interest in safeguarding patients’ welfare and in ensuring that the work he had carried out over a number of years would not be destroyed because of a bad decision that was not based on modern medical practice.

He called on the minister not to proceed with splitting up the department.