Man Instructs Irwin Mitchell To Investigate Shoulder Surgery At Private Hospital In Leeds

A patient has spoken of how failings in surgery carried out at a private hospital in Leeds are continuing to impact on his life.

Phillip Stevens, 61, underwent a right shoulder replacement surgery at Nuffield Hospital in the city after struggling with pain and a lack of movement in the joint for a number of years.

The surgery was performed by surgeon Michael Walsh.

However, post-surgery Phillip, of Leeds, suffered increased pain and reduced mobility in his shoulder. Later investigations by another surgeon revealed that a wrong sized, ill-fitting implant had been used, that the pegs used to anchor the implant to the bone had been cut or removed and a poor cementing technique deployed.

He instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care provided through the NHS Choose and Book system – designed to speed up waiting times by allowing patients to decide where to go for care.

Following legal submissions the NHS admitted that there was a failure to carry out Phillip’s shoulder replacement surgery appropriately and as a result he experienced additional pain and suffering.

Phillip’s case is one of nine, where patients who have undergone surgical procedures by Mr Walsh at either Nuffield Leeds or Spire Leeds hospitals, have instructed Irwin Mitchell to investigate. The other cases are ongoing and no admissions of liability have been made in the other eight.

Phillip, a dad-of-two who is married to Cath, 52, was a former police officer.

He was referred to Mr Walsh at Nuffield Hospital, undergoing shoulder replacement surgery in April 2013. However, his condition continued to worsen.

He sought medical advice several times and was referred back to Nuffield in May 2017 and seen by a different surgeon who explained his concerns that the original surgery had not been performed to a required standard.

Phillip underwent two further operations to try and resolve the problems and it is expected he will require further surgery.

Phillip said: “When I was told about the Choose and Book scheme for treatment I thought it would be ideal as it would mean that I would be treated sooner and my pain cured.

“However, it turned out to be the exact opposite. The pain just got worse. I was reliant on Cath to assist me with almost everything. I couldn’t continue at the gym and I even began to struggle with day to day tasks at work. It was that bad that I couldn’t even make a drink or work at a computer.

“To have to leave my job as a police officer because of the pain was devastating. I loved my job and had no plans to retire but I felt I was left with no other option.

“To be then told by a different surgeon in 2017 that my shoulder was a mess just added to the hurt I had experienced.

“I was reluctant to undergo further surgery because of what happened previously but wasn’t left with much choice.

“I required a lot of physiotherapy and it is expected I will always have reduced mobility and strength in my right shoulder.

“It is hard not to be upset and angry at what has happened and how my life has changed for the worst because of the substandard surgery I had.

“I would like to say that the surgeon who I am now under through Nuffield has been fantastic. From the outset he has been open and honest about the mistakes that were made in my treatment and care. I feel that he is trying to do the best for me and whilst I doubt that I will ever be able to fully trust medical professionals again, he is going some way to restore my faith in them.”

Find out more about our expertise in supporting patients affected by surgery failings in our medical negligence section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.