ALMOST 1,200 people have signed an online petition fighting the suspension of two surgeons in Scotland.

Both NHS staff and patients have put their names to the petition calling for Professor Zygmunt Krukowski, the Queen's Surgeon in Scotland, and his colleague Wendy Craig to be reinstated.

It has been claimed the suspensions follow efforts by the surgeons to raise concern about issues at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Some people have registered their support for the petition without their names being displayed, prompting suggestions that people feel they cannot speak out about issues at the hospital.

Patients have also described how well they feel they were treated by Professor Krukowski in the comment section of the petition, which had 1198 names.

One lady, Isobel Kennedy, wrote: "I have never forgotten how kind and reassuring he was at that time. Why is a person of his skill being treated in this demeaning way, leaving patients without his expertise at a vulnerable time in their lives?"

Another, Catherine Murray, said: "I was operated on by Dr Craig assisted by Professor Krukowski in November 2014 for thyroid cancer. I found them to be both professional and caring people. Dr Craig took great pains to explain in layman's terms what was going to happen and I knew I could not be in better hands. "

A medical source close to NHS Grampian said: "It is a powerful tribute that a spontaneous petition has received so many signatures from patients, members of the public and clinicians in such a short space of time.

"It is notable, however, that many of those who have contributed to the petition feel uncomfortable with appending their names. It suggests they may well be employees of NHS Grampian who feel uncomfortable to speak out."

NHS Grampian did not wish to comment. The board has said they are working with patients on a case by cases to ensure all procedures which would have been carried out by the two doctors are covered by appropriately trained clinical staff.