A group of anaesthetists are demanding their college back down over its “dismissal” of a leading fellow for allegedly slurring the specialty over fraudulent billing practices. 

Anaesthetist Associate Professor Joanna Sutherland was asked to quit her post as chair of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists’ (ANZCA) quality and safety committee a day after she was quoted in a media story about claims of unethical billing by dozens of anaesthetists.

The request came via email from college president Professor David Story who said anaesthetists felt their reputations had been “slurred” by her comments.

But nine anaesthetists have written to Professor Story stating her comments were “measured and justified” and that they were dismayed at the college’s “reported dismissal” of Professor Sutherland.