Nearly 100 children were harmed by a Great Ormond Street surgeon, according to an independent review.
Great Ormond Street hospital (Gosh) conducted an independent review of nearly 800 patients treated by the consultant orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar between 2017 and 2022, who specialised in limb lengthening and reconstruction.
Of the 789 children under his care, the study concluded that 94 were specifically harmed as a result of his actions, of whom 91 had been operated on by Jabbar.
Announcing the findings, Matthew Shaw, the chief executive of Gosh, said everyone at the hospital was “profoundly sorry” for all those affected and promised the trust had learned lessons.
“We have made significant changes to both the orthopaedic service itself and across the hospital to minimise the chance of something like this happening again. Many of these changes are designed to help spot potential issues before they become a risk to patient care.
Vivaan Sharma was seven years old when he was harmed by leg-lengthening surgery carried out by Jabbar. Photograph: Family handout/PA
“We know this comes too late for the families affected by this issue, but we are committed to ensuring our hospital is a better and safer place for all current and future patients.”
The report found that 36 children suffered severe hurt, such as delayed diagnosis or failed surgery, while 39 patients came to moderate harm and 19 patients were mildly harmed, such as being given unnecessary general anaesthetic. The study also reported that 642 patients did not come to harm that could be attributed to the surgeon.
The report follows a previous review of the hospital’s paediatric orthopaedic service by the Royal College of Surgeons after concerns were raised by some patients’ families as well as staff.
Some of the children reportedly ended up with one leg up to 20cm shorter than the other, while others were left with ongoing chronic pain and one child had a limb amputated, which experts said later could have been avoided.
Gosh said it had already implemented the royal college’s recommendations, which included more training on dealing with complaints, better support for whistleblowing, all surgical patients to be reviewed by multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring the most complex cases were discussed with the Royal National Orthopaedic hospital.
Jabbar, who now works in the United Arab Emirates, no longer has a licence to practise medicine in the UK.
Responding to the findings, NHS England announced its own independent review, due to start in February, which will focus on potential failures in governance. An NHS England London spokesperson said: “The issues raised in the report are deeply distressing for everyone affected. As the commissioner of services, we have a responsibility to make sure the NHS learns and improves when standards fall short.
James Wood, of Great Yarmouth, is among those who suffered ‘severe’ harm and was subjected to an ‘unacceptable’ standard of surgery. Photograph: Family handout/PA
“We are commissioning an independent patient safety investigation to examine how Great Ormond Street hospital responded when potential harm was identified within the limb-lengthening service. This will add to the existing understanding of what happened in this case and make sure that the NHS learns from this to protect children, young people and their families in the future.”
Julia Reynolds, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day, which is representing some of the families of the children affected, said too few families were asked by the review team about their cases, in effect ignoring them again.
“Patients have been left too long to learn that Gosh now acknowledges the severe harm that Yaser Jabbar caused to children in his care and that they did not listen when patients and even other staff raised concerns.
“Although reassurances have been offered, only time will tell that Gosh has understood that managers need to listen to patients who tell them they believe something is wrong with the treatment they have received.
James Wood was 12 when he came under the care of Jabbar. Photograph: Family handout/PA
“As Martha’s law has shown all too tragically, this pattern of listening to families too late is something that NHS managers and staff need to address and deal with urgently.”
She added that “families need to be involved” – instead they were yet again “treated as peripheral to the learning and remediation process”.
Georgina Wade, an associate solicitor at Tees Law, said: “We are supporting a number of patients and their families who have been profoundly affected by Mr Jabbar’s treatment.
“In some cases, children with already complex or life-limiting conditions were subjected to unnecessary and invasive procedures that have left them with ongoing, and in some cases permanent injuries. Families describe the emotional and physical toll as devastating, alongside a complete loss of trust in a system they relied on for years.
“Many are still coming to terms with the shock of what has happened and are seeking accountability, transparency and reassurance that lessons will be learned to better protect children in the future. I would urge anyone who has been affected by the investigations to reach out to us.”
A royal college spokesperson said it was “extremely upsetting to learn that Great Ormond Street hospital’s independent review has identified harm to a significant number of children”.
They added: “Fully understanding what has happened is essential so that lessons are learned and families receive the clarity and support they deserve.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This case is truly shocking. Our deepest sympathies are with all the children and their families who have been harmed.
“We are working with NHS England and regulators so Great Ormond Street hospital implements all safety recommendations outlined by the Royal College of Surgeons in 2023, including robust systems in place for staff and patients to raise concerns and ensure this cannot happen again.
“NHS England will launch an independent investigation into the management and culture of the hospital.”
