A mother from South Shields has been left struggling to use her hands following surgery performed by a surgeon who is now under investigation. Lindsey Randall, 62, underwent two hand operations by Leslie Irwin at the Spire Washington Hospital in Sunderland in 2019 and 2020. A subsequent review by the private healthcare provider concluded that her care was 'poor' and that she had 'come to harm'.
Ongoing difficulties
Lindsey, a human resources assistant, reported that she can no longer perform everyday tasks such as straightening her hair or opening screw-cap bottles. She expressed her frustration, stating, 'When I went in for hand surgery, I hoped it would mean an end to the issues I’d been having, but I ended up struggling to use my hands even more than before and the pain was worse.' She added that she trusted Mr Irwin as the expert but now feels anger and relief that the investigation confirmed her concerns were valid.
Background of the case
Mr Irwin retired from the NHS in 2022 and was later suspended by Spire Healthcare in 2024. In January, it was revealed that he was listed on a 'recall' list, inviting former patients for consultations. In March, the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust requested a review by the Royal College of Surgeons. Mr Irwin deregistered from the General Medical Council in 2025, preventing further investigation. His wife has denied the allegations, calling them 'a total, complete lie'.
Lindsey has now instructed solicitors at Irwin Mitchell. Tim Arnett, a medical negligence lawyer at the firm, commented, 'While these investigations are vital to ensure lessons are learned and patient safety is improved, it’s clear that patients like Lindsey have been badly let down.' He noted that the firm has received several concerning accounts from other patients and urged those affected to seek advice.
Hospital response
A Spire Healthcare spokesperson apologised to patients who did not receive an appropriate standard of care and stated that the hospital is reviewing procedures provided to a select group of Mr Irwin's patients. They are in direct contact with these patients to offer support and have provided a dedicated helpline for inquiries.
