Great Ormond Street Hospital: Investigations into Yaser Jabbar escalate
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is currently investigating the care provided to more than 700 patients after serious concerns were raised about the practices of one of its former surgeons.
As I wrote in my blog in March 2024, in September 2022, Mr Yaser Jabbar, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, was suspended pending investigation, leaving many of his patients in the dark about their treatment. Mr Jabbar’s absence appears to have been the beginning of a lack of transparency from GOSH to its patients and their families.
As part of the investigation process, each patient that had been impacted by the actions of Mr Jabbar is to receive an individual report on their treatment.
While the report prepared by the Royal College of Surgeons has yet to be released, many of the families involved have now received their own individual reports and are disappointed at the findings within. The reports have been prepared by five external paediatric orthopaedic surgical consultants, with one being assigned to each patient with instructions to identify the level of harm caused by Mr Jabbar – no harm, low, moderate, or severe.
The consultants were provided with the medical records relating to the individual patient and considered what level of harm they have suffered. There is growing dissatisfaction among families affected as they have rightly remarked that Mr Jabbar did not keep accurate records, leading to concerns that there will be large gaps in the reports prepared. Further, the families involved were not invited for an assessment and/or interview, with many feeling that their child’s condition has not been accurately captured by the report.
The BBC has confirmed it has been contacted by a number of families who are dismayed at the contents of the reports received, with many going so far as to call the report a “whitewash”.
Many patients have received a result of low harm, despite their child being left with life-altering injuries, requiring vast remedial treatment.
Further, many families have identified that their reports have either failed to account for or underestimated the psychological harm done to their children. Given that all of those impacted by Mr Jabbar in GOSH were children, it is vital this element is not lost in investigations and that adequate psychological support is offered by GOSH.
This is another in a long line of disappointments in this investigation, adding insult to injury to the families affected. Going forward, we consider that it is vital for GOSH to conduct itself with complete transparency and put the victims first.
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.
