Women Tell Legal Team That Procedures Left Them In Severe Pain And Were Carried Out Without Permission

An NHS Trust in Bristol has confirmed it is investigating a doctor who carried out mesh surgery, following complaints his procedures left patients in severe pain.

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed by a group of patients affected by colorectal procedures carried out in Bristol by Mr Tony Dixon. The North Bristol NHS Trust has recently confirmed to the BBC that pending the investigation results, Mr Dixon is not currently carrying out the operations which aim to fix problems often caused by childbirth.

The patients considering legal action, who wish to remain anonymous, underwent procedures at Southmead Hospital, which is run by North Bristol NHS Trust, and the Spire Hospital, a private hospital. The procedures include rectopexy and STARR treatments (stapled transanal resection of the rectum) whereby mesh and surgical staples are used to perform a rectal resection.

Some of the group told Irwin Mitchell that they suffered complications following surgery, while others told lawyers that procedures were carried out without their knowledge and consent after being advised they were being taken in for a lesser procedure to treat haemorrhoids.

Luke Trevorrow, an expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office representing the group, said: 

Expert Opinion

“The first-hand accounts we have heard from women who were treated at Southmead Hospital and the Spire hospital in Bristol are very similar and, of course, extremely worrying.

“We have been instructed to investigate these concerns and our investigations are currently at an early stage. However, it is important that patients come forward with their concerns if they believe the level of care they received at Southmead Hospital fell short of required standards.

“It is vital that if the NHS trust’s investigation finds any shortcomings that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.” Luke Trevorrow - Senior Associate

Mr Dixon works at both Southmead and Spire hospitals. He is known for the use of a technique called mesh rectopexy to fix bowel problems, often caused by childbirth. It is believed he denies any wrongdoing.

Mr Dixon currently cannot perform mesh operations at Southmead Hospital. The General Medical Council (GMC) imposed conditions upon his practice from August 2017 which stop him from performing STARR operations.

Anyone affected by these issues can speak in confidence to Luke Trevorrow at Irwin Mitchell Bristol on 0117 926 1534 or email luke.trevorrow@irwinmitchell.com. Alternatively visit our Surgical & Transvaginal Mesh Claims page.