Many Women Taking Legal Action Against Suspended Sidcup Gynaecologist

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have now been instructed to investigate the treatment of over 20 former patients of gynaecologist and surgeon Rod Irvine, who was suspended from practice in November 2012.
 
Mr Irvine worked as an NHS consultant at Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup, Bromley’s Princess Royal Hospital, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich. Mr Irvine also practised at a number of private clinics including Blackheath Hospital, Chelsfield Park Hospital, Fawkham Manor Hospital, Portland Hospital, Lister Hospital and the Wellington Clinic, Harley Street.

Mr Irvine’s treatment has been the subject of a number of reviews and the South London Healthcare Trust, which has now been dissolved, contacted around 2,000 women who had operations or other procedures undertaken by Mr Irvine, notifying them that there may be concerns with their treatment.

Some of Mr Irvine’s former NHS patients have had their treatment assessed by an independent review panel. The NHS carried out a sample review of 255 patients which raised concerns about the treatment provided to 49 women and highlighted more serious issues in relation to the treatment provided to 17 others.

It is likely that there are many more women who have been affected who have not yet been contacted by the Trust and whose treatment has not been reviewed. Concerns have been raised about the limited scope of the review, the availability of medical records as part of the review and that private patients have not been included as part of this process.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is now investigating a number of complaints against Mr Irvine and a GMC Interim Orders Panel has placed restrictions upon his practice. The result of a disciplinary hearing carried out by Mr Irvine’s former employers is likely to be released in June 2014.

The Medical Law Group Actions Team at Irwin Mitchell is now representing more than 20 clients who have received allegedly negligent treatment at the hands of Mr Irvine.

David Body, is the Partner at Irwin Mitchell representing the patients and has specialised in medical negligence for over 30 years with extensive experience of running group action cases.

Esther Wilkinson, a specialist solicitor in the team at Irwin Mitchell, said:

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