A shocking independent review has concluded that a disgraced surgeon caused harm to nearly 100 children through botched leg operations at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
A Legacy of Pain and Deformity
The report, commissioned by the hospital, examined the care of 789 patients treated by surgeon Yasser Jabbar. It found that between 85 and 100 children were harmed, with many suffering life-altering consequences. These include chronic pain, permanent nerve damage, severe deformities, and in at least one tragic case, a below-knee amputation.
Other young patients were left with a condition called drop foot, which makes walking difficult, while some found their legs had been left differing in length by as much as 20 centimetres following surgery. The review categorised the harm, confirming at least 32 cases as severe, 36 as moderate, and 18 as mild.
Families' Fury and Claims of a Cover-Up
Despite the hospital's apology, many families of the affected children have criticised the review process. They allege a 'cover-up culture' at the trust and claim the report, based on patient notes, fails to capture the true extent of their suffering.
One major point of contention is that Jabbar was known for poor record-keeping, leading parents to question the accuracy of a review reliant on those very notes. One mother told the BBC her daughter's report 'doesn't reflect her journey at all'.
Dean Stalham, whose daughter Bunty underwent multiple failed surgeries, stated the report's finding of 'moderate' harm was 'simply wrong'. He detailed how procedures intended to lengthen her leg instead shortened it by about eight inches, leading ultimately to amputation in May 2020.
Surgeon's Departure and Ongoing Institutional Concerns
Concerns about Jabbar's work were first raised in 2022, leading to his suspension. He left GOSH in 2023 after a Royal College of Surgeons report found some of his surgeries were 'inappropriate' and 'incorrect'. Jabbar subsequently moved to Dubai, where he continued to practise until media exposure led to his removal from hospital websites and conference schedules.
The full findings of the GOSH-commissioned review are due to be presented to the hospital's trust board on January 29. However, the scandal has severely damaged trust in the institution. Insiders have told The Times that fundamental cultural problems remain, with one source stating they had no confidence things would be done differently if a similar situation arose again.
A spokesperson for Great Ormond Street said the hospital was 'incredibly sorry' and reiterated its commitment to patient safety, stating the independent review was in line with NHS England guidelines.
