An orthopaedic surgeon has been forced to retire because of an archaic clause in civil service regulations even though his contribution remains crucial to reducing waiting lists at Mater Dei Hospital.

Carmel Sciberras has been unable to work or perform any operations for two months because government employees who turn 61 are forced to retire to make way for the younger generation.

He has worked for the state hospital for 25 years.

Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar and Social Policy Minister John Dalli have met with Mr Sciberras because they would like him to stay on and help reduce the backlog.

According to a recent parliamentary question, the number of patients on the waiting lists for various surgical interventions stood at 626 for total hip replacement and 3,850 for knee procedures.

Operations are not being put on hold because of Mr Sciberras's absence. However, his input is necessary to alleviate the burden on the other surgeons and the system.

A spokesman for the Health Parliamentary Secretariat said Mr Sciberras was important to the sector, and the civil service was looking at ways of reinstating him.

When contacted, Godwin Grima, principal permanent secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, initially refused to comment, saying he "did not speak to strangers over the phone".

However, he later replied to an e-mail and said that in rare cases where an individual carried out particular tasks "and/or there is no replacement, by way of exception" the government may retain the individual.

Dr Grima said people who retired could be re-engaged - but not necessarily with the same job title or under the same terms and conditions. He stopped short of entering into the merits of Mr Sciberras's case, and would not say if or when the orthopaedic surgeon would be reinstated.