Great Ormond Street Hospital: Important update for patients treated by Yaser Jabbar – what parents need to know
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is urgently reviewing more than 700 cases following serious concerns about one of its former surgeons, a leaked report has revealed.
Out of 39 cases reviewed so far, 22 children have been found to have suffered harm at the hands of Yaser Jabbar, including some cases involving severe and potentially life-long injuries.
As specialists in clinical negligence claims, we are shocked at the scale of harm caused and understand the deep distress this news brings to parents who place their utmost trust in healthcare professionals. Here, we provide an overview of the situation and what steps you can take if you believe your child may have been affected.
What happened at Great Ormond Street Hospital?
The review concerns the treatment provided by Mr Jabbar, a former consultant orthopaedic surgeon in GOSH’s lower limb reconstruction service.
Mr Jabbar worked at the hospital from 2017 until his resignation in September 2023. The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) first raised concerns in a confidential report about both Mr Jabbar’s practices and the wider culture within the hospital’s orthopaedic department. As I discussed in my blog in March 2024, this prompted GOSH to initiate an extensive review, which began in April and is expected to take 18 months.
According to the Sunday Times, the leaked report reveals that so far, the hospital has reviewed 39 cases under Mr Jabbar’s care and, shockingly, 22 children have been found to have suffered harm.
The severity of the harm varies, with nine children suffering “low/moderate” harm and 13 experiencing “severe harm”, which could lead to life-long consequences.
The reported injuries include nerve and muscle damage, permanent deformities, unnecessary operations, and in one heartbreaking case, the amputation of a child’s lower limb.
The review is being conducted by five external paediatric orthopaedic surgical consultants, and GOSH has committed to contacting all 721 affected patients or their families and keeping them informed throughout the review process.
In a statement on their website, GOSH said it took “the issues raised in the [Sunday Times] article incredibly seriously and know they will be worrying for patients and families”.
It added: “We are deeply sorry to all patients who received poor care and understand that this may have had a significant impact on their health and wellbeing.”
Calls are also now growing for the confidential RCS report to be released.
What should parents do if they are concerned?
If your child was a patient at GOSH and received orthopaedic treatment, particularly under Mr Jabbar’s care, you may understandably be feeling anxious and uncertain. While GOSH has reached out to families, the findings so far indicate not all concerns may have been fully addressed.
If you have noticed any unusual symptoms, ongoing pain, or complications following surgery, or if you simply feel something was not right with the treatment your child received, it is crucial to seek independent legal advice.
Here are steps you can take if you are worried:
- Contact Great Ormond Street Hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
You can call 0207 829 7862 or email pals@gosh.nhs.uk. PALS provides help and advice to patients, families and carers. It is a confidential service, meaning they will not share your details with anyone unless you give them permission to do so.
- Request your child’s medical records.
This is your legal right and can provide essential information about the treatment your child received. You can request these records directly from GOSH or instruct a solicitor to do so on your behalf.
- Contact a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.
Navigating the complexities of a potential clinical negligence claim can be daunting. As experts in this field, we can help you understand your options, investigate your case thoroughly, including getting a second medical opinion on whether the care provided was appropriate, and seek compensation for any harm your child has suffered.
How Bolt Burdon Kemp can help
Clinical negligence claims, particularly those involving children, require a sensitive and expert approach. Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Complex Injury Team has a wealth of experience dealing with complicated clinical negligence cases, including those involving paediatric care. We work closely with leading independent medical experts to ensure we understand every detail of the care provided and can build the strongest possible case on your child’s behalf.
Although the GOSH review is far from over, and the RCS report has not yet been published, we are already pressing ahead with investigating a potential claim for compensation for a child who appears to have been adversely impacted by Mr Jabbar’s methods.
At the same time, we’re supporting our client and their family through our Early Support Service to ensure they receive all the help they need during the critical first stages of their medical negligence claim. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to your child and family from the very beginning.
We also obtain interim payments of compensation at the earliest possible opportunity, so you and your child receive the financial and practical help you need, when you need it. Acting sooner rather than later can make a significant difference in securing the best possible quality of life for your child and your family both now, and in the long term.
Contact us today
If you’re a parent worried your child may have been affected by orthopaedic treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, we encourage you to get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation conversation. We are here to listen, to advise, and to help you get the answers and justice your family deserves.
Please call us today or fill out our online contact form to speak with one of our specialist clinical negligence solicitors. Let us help you find the clarity, support, and resolution you need during this difficult time.
