The board of the VU university teaching hospital in Amsterdam has pledged to do ‘whatever it can’ to end a conflict between medical specialists which has led to a halt in lung operations.

The hospital, known as the VUmc, was put under special supervision by health service inspectors on Tuesday because of the dispute which inspectors say has put patient safety at risk.
The hospital board has already stopped all lung operations from being carried out because of the dispute. Those which cannot be delayed have been switched to other hospitals in Amsterdam. The VUmc carries out between five and six such operations a week.
The VUmc hit the headlines earlier this year when it allowed a television company to film consultations between doctors and patients in the emergency department. The show was cancelled after one broadcast.