Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that their investigations continue into the practice of an orthopaedic surgeon, who is not being named for legal reasons.
As a precautionary measure, the Trust restricted the surgeon’s clinical practice in 2024 pending the outcome of an initial external review. This initial external review was completed in January 2025, which identified that the outcome of treatment provided to 9 patients was below the expected standard. The surgeon has now been suspended and the Trust has appointed barrister Andrew Kennedy KC to chair a panel of expert clinicians to review the care of almost 700 patients who have undergone planned surgery during the time the surgeon was employed by the Trust. In addition, as orthopaedic consultants will carry out emergency surgery on both adults and children, a further 100 trauma cases are also to be reviewed.
The Trust has confirmed that concerns were raised as early as 2015 about the surgeon’s work and an external clinical review was carried out in 2016.
One of the 9 cases identified reportedly involved an 8 year old girl who was operated on 17 times by the suspended surgeon. She now needs further surgery, including a hip replacement. Given that concerns were first raised 10 years ago, the question must be asked as to why the surgeon was allowed to continue operating during that time and whether the damage caused was avoidable.
If you or your child have suffered or been injured as a result of surgery carried out by this surgeon, contact our clinical negligence team on 020 8891 6141.