Great Ormond Street Hospital apologises to children harmed by orthopaedic surgeon 

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has issued an apology after an independent review found that 94 children came to harm under the care of Mr Yaser Jabber, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. This substandard practice involved incorrect diagnoses, inappropriate surgical strategies and missed identification of complications.

Unfortunately, this is not the only instance where patients have suffered serious harm at the hands of a rogue surgeon. Orthopaedic injuries can have a devastating impact on a child’s life, so this news can be very concerning for parents and carers; however, there is support available if you believe your child has experienced substandard healthcare.

Understanding paediatric orthopaedic negligence

Orthopaedic conditions often seen in children include clubfoot, flat feet, scoliosis and developmental dysplasia of the hip. Some of these may be associated with cerebral palsy, spina bifida or muscular dystrophy.

Negligence can occur in various ways, including missed diagnoses, incorrect hospital treatment or surgical error. You can read more about common types of orthopaedic negligence claims in our blog.

Lessons from recent cases

We have previously written about the poor practice of a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Cases such as this, and the recent investigation into Mr Jabber’s work at GOSH, highlight the importance of vigilance among both staff members and patients. The malpractice of Mr Jabber was discovered after a colleague raised concerns. These were supported by complaints from patients and their families.

If you are not satisfied with the standard of care that your child has received, it’s therefore important to take action. GOSH is improving the way that complaints are responded to, which should help ensure that your concerns are appropriately managed. Also, seeking legal support can help you understand your rights and assess if you have grounds for a medical negligence claim.

Tips for parents

If you are concerned about the care your child is receiving, here are some steps to take:

• Monitor your child’s progress. Keep track of your child’s symptoms and whether they change in response to treatment or surgery.
• Ask questions. If there is anything you’re unsure about, ask your medical team to go through it again and explain it clearly.  
• Ask for a second opinion. We understand that it can feel difficult to challenge a medical professional, especially if they are a senior team member. Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative currently being implemented in NHS trusts across England. It empowers patients, families and their carers to request a rapid review if they are concerned that a patient’s condition is worsening and their concerns are not being responded to. More details can be found here. 
• Know the signs. Familiarise yourself with the signs of potential orthopaedic medical negligence – read more about how it can occur. 

How Attwaters can help

Our Medical Negligence team has extensive experience supporting families with children’s medical negligence claims, including orthopaedic injuries. You can find out what to expect from the claims process here.

Our friendly team is here for you every step of the way. Please get in touch to find out how we can help –  enquiries@attwaters.co.uk or 0330 221 8855.