Families of disgraced child surgeons allege cover-up

The families of children operated on by a disgraced surgeon have branded independent reports into his care a “cleansing” and the “final disgrace”.

Yasser Jabbar, a former surgeon at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), performed a number of procedures, including lengthening and straightening the leg. He also operated on children with complex disorders.

But some cases involving them resulted in harm, including life-long injuries and amputations of limbs.

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

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 not working at GOSH, are based on patient notes provided by the hospital.

Families have begun to receive reports about the care their children received. BBC News has now spoken to four families – and made indirect contact with 12 others – who say the reports do not reflect their children’s experiences and often raise more questions than they answer.

He says many reports were closed without any interviews or conversations with the family or patient.

Parents told the BBC that the reports were part of a “culture of cover-up” that GOSH had “failed their children”, leaving them physically and mentally damaged.

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

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

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

Dean Stalham’s daughter, Bunty, was born with a rare bone disease called neurofibromatosis. Over a period of 15 months, Bunty underwent several operations which failed, leaving her struggling with pain on and off for months.

In Bunty’s report, the physical impact on her was considered “moderate” – but her father says this is “absolutely false”.

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

“None of Bunty’s surgeries worked and none of them helped him. When they were trying to lengthen his leg they shortened it by about eight inches.”

Other parents are angry that the report described their child’s psychological harm as “none” or “mild”.

“How can it be said that he has not suffered any psychological harm when they have not even spoken to the child?” Claire Osborne says of her daughter Ella.

Ella has Shwachman Diamond Syndrome II, which causes her knees to turn inward and cause severe pain.

Ella was sent for psychological help in 2022 after an unsuccessful operation to repair her knees was performed by Mr. Jabbar.

“She would cry herself to sleep every night,” says her mother. “She was in a wheelchair and had been dealing with constant pain for many years. She now suffers from nervous tics. She didn’t have this problem before Jabbar Was.”

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

“I feel lucky that my son is being watched by the best people in the world,” Ms Omar says. “I didn’t question what the recommendations were being made because I trusted them completely.”

At that time Mansoor was complaining of knee pain. Following two operations carried out by Mr Jabbar, Mansoor suffered nerve damage resulting in foot drop, which can make it difficult to lift or move your leg and affect the way you walk.

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

“They have destroyed his leg,” says Ms Omar, “and he complains of pain every day.” “I can’t trust anyone anymore – especially not the hospital for this to happen.”

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

Ms Omar says this meant Mansour’s care was further delayed and three appointments with Mr Jabbar were booked, then canceled and rearranged.

A GOSH spokesperson says the families were told in August 2022 that Mr Jabbar was on sabbatical leave.

A spokesperson for GOSH says: “Assessing psychological harm, however, is complex due to many factors, and so we will always discuss families’ concerns and do our best to ensure that patients have the best possible care moving forward.” Get the care and support you need.”

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

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

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

“To say that a boy who lost his childhood because of this man has suffered ‘moderate damage’ is the ultimate insult to me,” says Ms Omar.

In a statement GOSH said: “We are deeply sorry to this surgeon’s patients whom we have let down”, adding, “Patient safety is our main objective and we have a number of measures in place to ensure that All our services are secure.”

Mr Jabbar worked in four other hospitals in London, 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 there between October 2020 and January 2023. It said no concerns had been raised about their practice.

Cromwell Hospital said Mr Jabbar had operated on 12 adults and six children when he worked there and had received no complaints.

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

HCA Group, of which Portland is part, confirmed that 43 surgeries were performed by Mr Jabbar at its sites.

Before joining GOSH in 2017 he was also an orthopedic consultant at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

The BBC has contacted Mr Jabbar for comment.