Legal Experts Say It’s Vital Families Are Supported To Get Answers They Deserve

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have expressed concern after families of children operated on by surgeon Yaser Jabbar said reports into their care don’t reflect what they went through.

Mr Jabbar worked as a lower limb orthopaedic surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Some cases linked to him resulted in harm to children.

An urgent review of more than 700 patients is under way, with families now receiving independent reports into the children’ experiences and the care provided to them. Investigations into Mr Jabbar’s practice has also been widened to the private hospitals St John and St Elizabeth Hospital, Cromwell Hospital, and the Portland Hospital

However, the BBC reports today that a number of families, whose children were operated on by Mr Jabbar at GOSH, have labelled independent reviews into their care as a “whitewash” and a “final insult”. The reports were based on medical notes and families weren’t spoken to, it has been reported.

Catherine Slattery is an expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who represents some of those affected.

Expert Opinion

“The actions of Mr Jabbar continue to shock me, and the families at the centre of the review understandably remain devastated by what their children have been through.

“Once the review began, they were hopeful that they would get the answers and justice.

“Sadly, however, the reports that are starting to come out are incredibly worrying. However, It appears that all measures to ensure families feel listened to and their concerns are being treated with the utmost gravity may not have been taken.

“When things go wrong it’s vital that patients and families are listened to so all lessons possible can be learned to improve patient safety.

“It’s important those families who continue to have concerns can access specialist legal support to ensure they can not only obtain the answers the deserve, but where appropriate, follow up treatment and rehabilitation.” Catherine Slattery

Find out more on Yaser Jabbar

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in establishing answers for individuals and families with care concerns at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500100.