“I wish to clarify the present situation with you in my own words,” Dr John Stuchbery begins. “Six weeks ago, Albury Wodonga Health terminated my VMO contract.

“The decision was made by the board and no reason was given … I am able to reassure you categorically that it was nothing [to] do with my clinical performance.”

This is Dr Stuchbery, a highly regarded breast cancer surgeon, in his letter to hundreds of GPs sent last month.

He has served 27 years at the local hospital on the NSW/Victoria border, but was suddenly told by management that he was out and given three months’ notice.