A LEADING heart surgeon who alleges that she was prevented from working at a crisis-hit heart unit after she raised concerns about patient safety was allowed back today.

Professor Marjan Jahangiri was suspended by bosses at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London, pending a disciplinary investigation into accusations against her.

Ms Jahangiri, the first female professor of cardiac surgery in Europe, says she was the victim of a “campaign” of bullying and harassment and was even sent a dead animal and a decapitated doll in the post.

She was excluded from working at the hospital following a damning report into its heart unit that was leaked earlier this month. It stated that a “toxic” feud between two rival camps of surgeons had put patients at risk.

Former NHS England deputy medical director Mike Bewick found that the hospital had a cardiac surgery death rate of 3.7 per cent, significantly above the 2 per cent national average.

Last week, Ms Jahangiri applied to the High Court to lift the exclusion order, arguing that the unit was “an environment that has appeared to be more interested in cover-ups and petty vendettas than patient welfare.”

Mr Justice Nicklin ruled in her favour, saying that he was not satisfied that exclusion was necessary.

However, he added that he could not make any findings as to whether Ms Jahangiri had been subjected to any campaign of harassment until after “proper consideration” of the evidence at trial.

Outside court, Ms Jahangiri said she was “delighted” with the judgement and keen to return to her patients.

“My priority, as it has always been, is combining excellent patient care with research and training.”

Jacqueline Totterdell, chief executive at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are disappointed by the judgement issued today, but understand and respect it.

“We welcome that this ruling is not about guilt or exoneration, and the judge made no finding on the facts being investigated.

“He has said that the exclusion process was not appropriate, but has allowed the trust to continue its investigation into very serious issues raised.”