Medical Negligence Lawyers Supporting Families Affected By Care Concerns At Cambridge Hospital

An external inquiry into issues with hip operations performed on children at a leading hospital has been expanded to cover 800 patients. 

Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge launched a review which found that nine children operated on by a surgeon received care that fell “below expected standards”. It added that the care some children received had “impacted on their quality of life.”   

However, it has now been announced that the review will be extended to review 800 patients – both children and adults. 

Lawyers supporting families concerned about surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital

Specialist medical negligence group action lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are supporting a number of parents with concerns about orthopaedic operations performed by one surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. 

They have been contacted by families who form part of the initial nine patients under review as well as those whose care falls outside the original investigation. 

A separate investigation is to be carried out into whether concerns about the surgeon should have been spotted earlier.

The hospital said it knew concerns were raised as early as 2015, and that a review into the surgeon's work was carried out in 2016.

Families and patients urged to seek legal advice

Catherine Slaterry, a leading lawyer, who is supporting families, described the latest development as “staggering” and urged others with concerns to come forward to ensure they receive the answers and help they’re entitled to. 

Expert Opinion

“The findings of the initial external review were extremely disturbing. Since then, not only have we been contacted by some of the families, but we’ve also heard heartbreaking stories from other families outside the scope of that initial review about their child’s treatment.

“The first-hand accounts we’ve been told indicate a much wider issue regarding the care provided by that surgeon, and potentially over a longer period.

“However, that 800 cases will now be looked at is truly staggering.

“No doubt many other parents and patients will have questions and concerns regarding their care.

“It’s now vital that patients and families are supported so they can be provided with the answers they deserve, and where appropriate, access to any follow up treatment and rehabilitation they may require. The impact of substandard care should never be downplayed. It can have devastating and have life-long consequences.

“The Trust also needs to be open with families and ensure all issues and areas for improving patient safety are identified. It is vital that the investigation identify whether the 2016 review recommendations were implemented. Transparency is key to upholding public confidence in the NHS.” Catherine Slattery

Cambridge University Hospital Trust release more details about review of 800 patients

The latest review will be led by barrister Andrew Kennedy KC. 

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Addenbrooke’s said it will examine treatment provided to 700 patients who underwent planned operations. The review will also scrutinise 100 adult and child patients who underwent emergency surgery. 

The Trust is not naming the surgeon for legal reasons but said while they specialised in children's treatment, they would also have operated on adults.

The surgeon has been suspended but was co-operating with the review, the Trust added.

It unreservedly apologised to patients and families.

Find out more about how Irwin Mitchell is supporting families and patients with concerns about their care at Addenbrooke's Hospital at our dedicated Addenbrooke's Hospital claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.