UK-based Indian radiographer sacked for "not" knowing English

Ramani Ramaswany was dismissed from The Christie hospital, in Manchester, and suspended from the national radiography register for a year after complaints were made against him that he was unable to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.

The Health and Care Professions Council found that Ramaswamy had showed a "lack of competence" in a number of areas while working at The Christie, the Daily Mail reported.

The panel heard that patients and staff had difficulty understanding him, with his command of English said to be getting worse by managers at the hospital despite extra English lessons after taking a job there.

The committee heard that Ramaswamy was recruited from India as an experienced radiographer and started work in August 2005.

Ramaswamy said that the sanctions were unfair and the allegations had been "cooked up", the report said.

He said he had now retired and was not looking for work, adding: "It's totally ridiculous. I previously worked in Malaysia and I was very well respected...The Christie said there were communication problems but I speak good English. I may be a little reserved".

When asked about failing to ask patients to empty their bladders before starting treatment he said: "Maybe I missed it for one patient. I've never done any harm to the patients".