Disgraced surgeon 'hurt up to 100 children' during botched leg operations
A report has found that a surgeon who was employed at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) may have 'harmed nearly 100 children' as a result of botched surgeries.
An independent review was launched by the Royal College of Surgeons England (RCS), with the investigation finding that Yaser Jabbar may have been responsible for the life-changing injuries caused to some of the children he treated.
The disgraced NHS surgeon worked at GOSH, in London, between 2017 and 2023, with some of his patients reported as being as young as four months old.
Following an 11-month sabbatical on full pay, he stepped down as patient family members and hospital staff raised concerns about his practice.
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According to the investigation, Jabbar would carry out surgeries that were life-changing, such as an avoidable amputation, or another which left a 20-centimetre difference between the length of a child's legs.
The disgraced surgeon was accused of showing 'unacceptable and unprofessional behaviour', which allegedly included being aggressive towards staff.
A review by the RCS looked into the care of 721 patients seen by Jabar, some of whom were left with chronic pain, deformities, and permanent nerve damage.
The 43-year-old's work even resulted in a child having foot drop, with this condition leaving people unable to lift their leg up high when walking to prevent tripping, reports The Times.
A further 68 cases were later found, meaning that the total number of cases reviewed added up to 789.
All of the findings are set to be presented to GOSH's trust board on 29 January, two years on from the doctor's suspension.
It has been confirmed by the trust that between 85 and 100 children may have been 'harmed' by the surgeon's work.
According to the report, 32 of these suffered severe harm, which could result in lifelong deformities or chronic pain, with 36 suffering moderate harm and just 18 having mild cases.
Families of the children affected have accused GOSH of 'failing' their kids and even suggested that a 'cover up culture' will mean that the truth will never come out.
Speaking to the BBC, one mother claimed: “Mr Jabbar was known for not writing up records or keeping notes correctly, but these reviews have been based on hospital notes.
“My daughter’s report doesn’t reflect her journey at all.”
Jabbar stopped treating patients in 2022 after concerns were raised about his work and fully left the hospital in 2023.
He later moved to Dubai, where he continued to operate.
Since his story went public, he started being removed from hospital websites which used to celebrate his work.
GOSH promised each of the doctor's patients that they would get an independent report to determine the level of harm they suffered at his hands, though many families believe issues at the hospital still haven't changed.
A spokesperson from Great Ormond Street Hospital told LADbible: “We are deeply sorry to all the children, young people and their families who have been affected by the actions of a surgeon working at GOSH between 2017 and 2022.
“We have reviewed the care of every single child involved and our report will be shared with families this month before it is made public.”
Joshua Nair