Patients of disgraced surgeon report ‘whitewash’

Families of children operated on by a disgraced surgeon have described independent reports as a “whitewash” and “the ultimate insult”.

Yasser Jabbar, a former surgeon at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), performed the leg lengthening and straightening procedure. He also operated on children suffering from complex diseases.

But some of the associated issues have resulted in damage, including lifelong injuries and amputations.

Mr Jabbar left the hospital in 2023 after a Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) report found some surgeries were “inappropriate” and “incorrect”.

Following the RCS report, GOSH said each of Mr Jabbar’s 723 patients would receive an independent report to conclude what level of harm they had suffered.

The reviews, which are being carried out by specialist surgeons who have not worked at GOSH, are based on patient notes provided by the hospital.

Families are beginning to receive reports on the care of their children. BBC News has now spoken to four families – and indirectly contacted 12 more – who say the reports do not reflect their children’s experiences and often raise more questions than they answer.

Many reports were dismissed without an interview or discussion with the family or patient, they say.

Parents describe the reports as part of a “culture of cover-up”, telling the BBC that GOSH has “failed their children” and harmed them physically and mentally.

One mother told us: “Mr Jabbar was known not to write records or keep notes properly, but these reviews are based on hospital notes. My daughter’s report does not reflect her journey at all.”

A GOSH spokesman said the hospital was deeply sorry and wanted “every patient and family who visits our hospital to feel safe and cared for”.

“We carried out an independent review of patient care, which is in line with NHS England guidelines,” he added.

Dean Stalham’s daughter, Bunty, was born with a rare bone disease called neurofibromatosis. Over a period of 15 months, Bunty underwent several unsuccessful operations, leaving him in agony and in severe pain for months.

In Bunty’s report, the physical effects on her were described as “moderate” – but her father says this is “simply wrong”.

“He says he had six procedures. I can count 10,” says Mr Stalham.

“Not one of Bunty’s surgeries worked, and none of them worked for her. When they were trying to lengthen her leg, they shortened it by about eight inches. “

Other parents are angry that their child’s psychological damage has been described as “none” or “mild”.

“How can it say there is no psychological damage when they haven’t even spoken to the child?” Claire Osborne says of her daughter Ella.

Ella has Schwachman-Diamond Syndrome II, which causes her knees to bend inward and cause severe pain.

Ella was sent for psychiatric help in 2022, after Mr. Jabbar had an unsuccessful operation to repair her knees.

“She cried herself to sleep every night,” her mother says. “She was in a wheelchair for years and in constant agony. She now has nervous tics. She didn’t have them before Jabar.”

When Mansoor’s mother, Hindia Omar, first met Mr Jabbar at GOSH in 2018, she says she was reassured, describing him as charismatic and attentive. He felt that his son was in safe hands.

“I feel blessed to have my boy seen by the best people in the world,” says Ms Omar. “I didn’t question what was being suggested because I trusted them completely.”

At that time, Mansoor was complaining of knee pain. After Mr. Jabbar’s two operations, Mansoor suffered nerve damage that resulted in foot drop, which can cause difficulty lifting or moving your foot and affect the way you walk.

Mansoor’s knee is now deformed and he is unable to bend it, while his leg has stopped growing.

“They have destroyed his leg, he complains of excruciating pain every day,” says Ms Omar. “I can no longer trust anyone – especially not the hospital – to allow this to happen.”

She says the last time she saw Mr. Jabbar was in 2022. Afterwards, she says she was told the surgeon was away, but at no stage did the hospital say Mr Jabbar was being investigated.

Ms Omar says this meant further delays in Mansoor’s care and three appointments with Mr Jabbar were booked, then canceled and rescheduled.

A GOSH spokesman said the family were told in August 2022 that Mr Jabbar was on leave.

A GOSH spokesman said: “Assessing psychological harm, however, is complicated by many factors, and so we will always discuss the concerns of families and do our best to ensure That patients get the care and support they need moving forward.”

In February, Ms. Omar received a phone call informing her that Mansoor’s years of pain and life-changing surgeries were being investigated.

An independent review of Mansoor’s care concluded that Mr Jabbar’s treatment caused him “minor harm”.

Mansoor was five years old when he saw Jabbar for the first time. He is now 12 years old and awaits further surgery. He will never bend his knee, can only walk short distances and now uses a wheelchair.

“To say that a boy who lost his childhood to this man is ‘minorly damaged’ is the ultimate insult to me,” says Ms Omar.

In a statement, GOSH said: “We are very sorry for the patients of this surgeon who we let down”, adding: “Patient safety is our primary aim and we have a number of measures in place to make all our services safe. are.”

Mr Jabbar worked at four other London hospitals, including three in the private sector – St John and St Elizabeth, Cromwell and Portland.

St. John and St. Elizabeth says Mr. Jabbar underwent three adult procedures between October 2020 and January 2023.

Cromwell Hospital said Jabbar had operated on 12 adults and six children while working there and had received no complaints.

“Since the concerns about Mr. Jabbar came to light, we have proactively contacted all patients directly and will remain in close contact while this investigation continues.”

The HCA Group, of which Portland is a part, confirmed that Mr. Jabbar performed 43 surgeries at its locations.

He was also an orthopedic consultant at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital before joining GOSH in 2017.

The BBC has contacted Jabbar for comment.