Tamlin Bolton
Senior Associate
Leslie Irwin: Medical Negligence Lawyers Advise Patients After Spire Launches Review Into Surgeon’s Care
Legal Experts Encourage Others To Come Forward For Advice And Support
Specialist medical negligence lawyers are supporting patients following confirmation that an orthopaedic surgeon who practised at Sunderland Royal Hospital and Spire Washington Hospital is under investigation.
Spire Healthcare has commissioned an external review after concerns were raised about aspects of Mr Leslie Irwin’s practice. As part of this process, a number of patients are being contacted and offered a review of their care, the private healthcare provider said.
Specialist group action medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been contacted by patients operated on by Mr Irwin. They have now called for the most thorough and transparent investigation possible to provide clarity and reassurance for patients and their families.
Tamlin Bolton is a group action medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is advising Mr Irwin’s patients.
She said: “The reports of Mr Irwin’s practise and that potentially hundreds of patients may be affected is deeply worrying. We’ve heard concerning first-hand accounts from patients and are now supporting them at this distressing time.
“It’s now vital that the most thorough and transparent investigation is conducted and patients are supported throughout. This is clearly a situation that will require careful review and will raise important questions for those affected.
“In my work representing those who have been affected by substandard surgical care I often see how they’re left not only needing answers, but access to follow up treatment and rehabilitation. The impact of poor care should never be downplayed. It can have devastating and have life-long consequences.”
Mr Irwin specialised in wrist and arm surgery and practised in the North East since 1999.
Since 2001, he worked as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust at Sunderland Royal Hospital and also carried out private work at Spire Washington Hospital.
He retired from the NHS in 2022 but continued to work privately at Spire Washington Hospital until 2023.
It was recently confirmed that Mr Irwin was suspended by Spire Washington Hospital in August 2023. He relinquished his registration with the General Medical Council in May 2025.
Spire said it was reviewing care provided to a “select cohort of patients” and its review would be run in accordance with NHS guidelines.”
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said it was working through which patients may need to be contacted for a review.