Bosses at a London hospital say they have asked external regulators to oversee work being done to deal with “long-standing issues” relating to its cardiac surgical service.

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust bosses say they want “oversight” from outside.

The trust has recently hit the headlines after becoming embroiled in litigation with one of its heart surgeons.

Bosses excluded Professor Marjan Jahangiri from St George’s Hospital in Tooting pending a disciplinary investigation after a “bullying” allegation.

A High Court judge, in late August, described the move as “irrational”.

Mr Justice Nicklin, who analysed issues at a High Court hearing in London, said Professor Jahangiri should be allowed to return.

Professor Jahangiri has complained of a breach of contract, the litigation is continuing.

The judge was told that bosses were concerned about the working relationship between the six heart surgeons in the unit, and about an “allegedly dysfunctional environment”.

Trust chief executive Jacqueline Totterdell says bosses are “already taking action” to “address the issues within the cardiac surgical service”.

She says she wants an “independent” panel of regulators to provide “external oversight” and help resolve issues.