NHS surgeons in England performed 661 operations on the wrong patient or body part between 2020 and 2025, according to data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist via freedom of information requests. The figure represents a 46% rise over the period, with 7% of incidents causing serious harm to patients.
Among the cases was the mistaken removal of both ovaries instead of one at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in October 2024, which caused severe harm. Other incidents included operating on the wrong patient for procedures such as bronchoscopy and biopsy, as well as injections in the wrong eye and removal of the wrong thyroid lobe.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recorded the highest number of errors with 44 cases, though none involved serious harm. University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust reported 23 cases, two of which caused serious harm, while North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust had 20 cases, 13 involving serious harm.
Paul Whiteing, chief executive of Action against Medical Accidents, said: 'It is very concerning that we continue to see an increase in some “never events”. Behind every one of these events is a patient who will suffer harm, sometimes serious and life-changing.' He urged the NHS to prioritise patient safety.
The data, covering 72 of 117 contacted trusts, likely underestimates the true number. Causes included human error, failure to follow safety checklists, communication issues, and environmental factors such as poor lighting or inadequate equipment.
