Cambridge Surgeon Suspended After Children Harmed By Treatment

The BBC has reported that a specialist paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been suspended following a review of their care which was found to be below the expected standard.

The suspension follows reports that multiple children under the surgeon’s care were left with severe and lasting injuries, sparking concerns about patient safety and the need for robust oversight within the healthcare system.

The review

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a world-renowned NHS Trust, commenced a review of the surgeon following a number of concerns raised by colleagues in October 2024. The surgeon was put on restrictive duties during the investigation and suspended on completion of the review.

The review, which concluded in January 2025, involved the valuable input of an independent expert. Whilst only some details of the investigation have been disclosed at this stage, it is known that the review looked at a number of complex paediatric hip surgeries performed at the hospital by the surgeon over a period of over two years.

The review found that some of the children’s mobility and overall quality of life had been impacted by the treatment received, and whilst the procedures performed by the surgeon did not result in amputation, some of the children treated required further surgery which would have otherwise been avoided.

Hospital’s comments

Chief Executive of the Trust, Roland Sinker, has apologised to those affected:

Mr Sinker went on to say:

Opinion

It is extremely concerning to learn of the findings of the Trust’s review and the avoidable injuries a number of children have sustained as a result of below-standard care. The suspension of a respected surgeon is a grave situation that highlights the need for ongoing NHS oversight.

It is hoped the Trust will commit itself to its duty of candour and provide absolute transparency to the patients and families regarding the nature and extent of failures identified. Accountability for failures in care will be essential to those left with life changing injuries, along with access to necessary follow-up treatment and extensive rehabilitation to improve quality of life wherever possible.

Whilst it is somewhat reassuring to know that the Trust will conduct a further review of all operations undertaken by the surgeon during their employment at the Trust, unfortunately, this is likely to provide little comfort to those impacted.

As investigations into this case progress, it is essential that lessons are learned, and necessary changes implemented and imbedded into practice to ensure the same failures in care are not repeated in the future – not only by Cambridge University Hospitals but the NHS nationwide.