Medical Negligence Lawyers Supporting Affected Patients Calls On Cambridge Hospital Trust To Update Families

Patients at the centre of a major investigation into a surgeon’s care of 800 people at a leading hospital are still awaiting reviews six months after issues in her practice emerged, lawyers have revealed.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, announced on 14 February, that a review had been launched into issues at Addenbrooke’s Hospital near Cambridge.

It had found that nine children operated on by a then unnamed surgeon received care that fell “below expected standards”. The Trust added that the care some children received had “impacted on their quality of life.”   

The following month the Trust revealed that the probe had been extended to examine 800 patients – both children and adults. 

In April it was revealed that the surgeon, who had been suspended while the inquiry examining operations, including hip procedures on children was carried out, was Kuldeep Stohr. 

Lawyers supporting families with concerns about Kuldeep Stohr

Specialist medical negligence group action lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been contacted by more than 20 families with concerns about orthopaedic operations performed by Ms Stohr. 

Now six months after details of the investigation first emerged, the legal experts have revealed that families they represent are still awaiting an update about the review of their care. This is despite initially been contacted by the Hospital Trust saying their cases will be reviewed. 

Tim Annett is an expert medical negligence group action lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing a number of families.

Expert Opinion

“While it’s six months since details of Ms Stohr’s practice started to emerge, there continues to be a great deal of concern about the care patients received.

“Several of our clients have told us that they were initially contacted by the Trust informing them their case would form part of the review but have since heard nothing. They don’t know when any review may take place or when outcomes are likely to be shared with them.

“We continue to be contacted by families who have heartbreaking stories about what’s happened to their child and who feel they’re being kept in the dark. They’re frustrated by the process and feel they’ve been left with no option but to ask us to investigate and secure answers on their behalf.

“We appreciate the scale of the investigation but call on the Trust to provide updates as quickly as it can. The Trust needs to ensure patients remain the priority, are kept fully updated and are allowed to play a prominent role in the reviews of their individual cases.

“It may be too late for some patients in terms of the standard of care they received, so the least they deserve is the best aftercare and support from now.” Tim Annett

Addenbrooke's Hospital Kuldeep Stohr investigation background

Ms Stohr was suspended in January. 

The 800 cases under review involved 700 planned operations on patients as well as 100 adults and children who underwent emergency surgery. 

Many are reported to involve osteotomies — a procedure where a bone is cut to reshape or realign bones such as those in the legs. Some families fear the operations were not performed correctly, with some children having to have multiple operations over several years. There are concerns about poor post-surgery follow-up and alleged delays in complications being recognised and treated.

Barrister Andrew Kennedy KC will oversee the review of 800 patients. 

The Trust has previously apologised to patients and families.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients concerned about the care they received from Ms Stohr at our dedicated Kuldeep Stohr claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.