Great Ormond Street Hospital investigates orthopaedic surgeon over patient harm concerns
By Tamlin Bolton
Families whose children were treated by former consultant orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) have described independent reviews into their care as a “whitewash” and a “final insult.” These allegations raise significant questions about patient safety, hospital transparency, and the adequacy of investigatory practices.
Yaser Jabbar, during his tenure in the hospital’s lower limb reconstruction service from 2017 to 2022, carried out complex procedures such as leg lengthening and straightening and operations for rare bone disorders. While some surgeries were successful, many resulted in catastrophic outcomes, including lifelong injuries, amputations, and trauma. Mr Jabbar left GOSH in 2023 following a report prepared by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) which found that some of his surgeries were “inappropriate” and “incorrect”, with 22 out of the 39 cases reviewed suffering harm. Of these, 13 were deemed by the RCS to have severe and potentially life-long injuries.
In response to the RCS findings, GOSH launched an independent review into the care provided to 723 of Mr Jabbar’s patients, enlisting specialist surgeons from outside the hospital to assess the level of harm. However, families have criticised these reviews as incomplete and dismissive of their lived experiences.
A key issue raised by families is the lack of direct consultation in these reviews. Many reports were based solely on patient notes—which some parents claim were inaccurately maintained by Mr Jabbar—and excluded interviews with patients or families. This approach, parents argue, fails to capture the full extent of physical and harm caused.
One mother described the reviews as emblematic of a “culture of cover-up,” stating, “My daughter’s report doesn’t reflect her journey at all.” Such sentiments echo across multiple families who feel that GOSH has “failed their children,” leaving them physically and mentally scarred. Should we state the source of the statements from the families?
The BBC reported that one patient they spoke with underwent multiple surgeries for a rare bone disease, none of which succeeded. Her family reports that her leg was shortened by eight inches instead of lengthened, ultimately leading to an amputation. Yet, the independent review categorised her harm as “moderate.” Her father disputes this finding, describing the conclusions as “simply wrong.”
Another underwent failed knee realignment surgery, which left her in severe pain, reliant on a wheelchair, and suffering from nervous tics. Despite being referred for support in 2022, the review found “no harm,” a conclusion her mother calls “incomprehensible.”
Tamlin Bolton, senior associate solicitor in the Clinical Negligence department at Switalskis, shared her perspective:
“There appears to be a consistent approach within some parts of the NHS that prioritises paternalistic medicine over direct patient and family involvement. Reports have suggested that many of the reviews into Mr. Jabbar’s care were concluded based solely on hospital notes, without engaging directly with patients or their families. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the investigatory process and whether it meets the high standards of transparency and accountability that families rightfully expect.”
Speaking with the BBC, parents have described the reports as indicative of a “culture of cover-up,” expressing that their children have been let down both physically and psychologically. Some families have also voiced concerns that the investigatory reports minimise the true impact of their children’s experiences, with harm assessments not reflecting the reality of life-changing injuries or emotional trauma.
These events underscore the need for hospitals to move beyond defensive practices and prioritise accountability. True reform involves:
- Engaging directly with families and patients during reviews to ensure their voices are heard.
- Adopting a patient-centred approach that fully accounts for physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
- Implementing robust safeguarding measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
GOSH has apologised publicly, acknowledging that these findings may never feel adequate for affected families. However, apologies alone are not enough. A commitment to transparency, independent oversight, and systemic reform is essential to restore trust and provide justice for those impacted.
At Switalskis, we stand with families who have been let down by those they trusted with their care. We are here to help navigate the complex processes of investigation, accountability, and compensation, ensuring your voice is heard and justice is pursued. If you have concerns about care received at GOSH or another healthcare provider, please contact us for support.
Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling
0800 1380 458, or contacting us through the website.
Tamlin has been in the legal sector for over eight years. She is a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Medical Negligence team.
