A shocking review has concluded that a rogue surgeon harmed almost 100 children through botched operations on their legs at London's world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The independent investigation into the work of Yasser Jabbar found young patients were left with chronic pain, permanent deformities, nerve damage, and in one tragic case, a required amputation.
A Legacy of Pain and Deformity
The trust confirmed that between 85 and 100 children were harmed by the 43-year-old surgeon. A detailed breakdown shows at least 32 suffered severe harm, which entails potentially lifelong deformities or chronic pain. A further 36 cases were classified as moderate harm, and 18 were mild.
Children operated on by Jabbar were found to be living with devastating consequences. These include a condition known as drop foot, which makes walking difficult, and significant leg length discrepancies of up to 20 centimetres. The review was initially ordered for 721 patients under Jabbar's care, but a further 68 cases were later uncovered, bringing the total examined to 789.
Families' Fury and Claims of a 'Cover-Up Culture'
Despite the hospital's commissioning of the report, many affected families have voiced fierce criticism, alleging a 'cover-up culture' at the institution. They fear the truth will be obscured and accuse GOSH of failing their children. One major point of contention is that the external review relied heavily on hospital notes, which parents claim are notoriously incomplete due to Jabbar's poor record-keeping.
One mother told the BBC her daughter's report 'doesn't reflect her journey at all'. Another parent, Dean Stalham, rejected the 'moderate' harm rating given to his daughter Bunty. He detailed how, over a 15-month period, ten unsuccessful surgeries left her in agony, ultimately leading to a below-knee amputation in May 2020. He stated the procedures, intended to lengthen her leg, actually shortened it by about eight inches.
Surgeon's Departure and Ongoing Institutional Doubts
Jabbar stopped treating patients at GOSH in 2022 following concerns and left the hospital in 2023 after a Royal College of Surgeons report deemed some of his surgeries 'inappropriate' and 'incorrect'. He subsequently moved to Dubai, where he continued to practise until media revelations led to his removal from hospital websites and conference schedules.
In a further blow to the hospital's credibility, insiders have suggested that fundamental cultural problems at GOSH remain unchanged. A source told The Times they had no confidence that anything would be done differently if a similar situation arose again. The hospital has stated it is 'incredibly sorry' and promised each affected family an independent report. The full findings of the review are scheduled to be presented to the hospital's trust board on January 29.
