A large-scale review into the treatment of 800 patients is underway at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, after a specialist orthopaedic surgeon was suspended following serious concerns raised by colleagues.
The surgeon, whose name has not been released for legal reasons, treated both children and adults. They were initially flagged in October 2024, with a subsequent internal review by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) revealing that care provided to nine children fell below expected clinical standards.
While the surgeon mainly operated on children, they also performed emergency orthopaedic procedures on adults. The trust has now commissioned a full retrospective clinical review of 700 planned cases and 100 emergency treatments, involving both adults and children.
Independent Inquiry and Apology to Families
Leading the review is Andrew Kennedy KC, who will chair a panel of independent expert clinicians. “We will work tirelessly to examine all cases and identify any shortcomings so families are fully informed and supported,” he said.
The hospital revealed that initial concerns about the surgeon’s practice date back to 2015 and were previously subject to an external review in 2016. Restrictions were placed on the surgeon’s clinical activity in 2023 as a precaution, and they have since been cooperating with the trust.
CUH has also enlisted the independent investigations firm Verita to examine how early concerns were handled and whether any red flags were missed.
Chief executive Roland Sinker offered a full apology to patients and families:
We remain very sorry that this has happened. We understand the distress and are committed to supporting those affected.
To aid with communication, the trust has appointed a dedicated family liaison officer to act as a consistent point of contact for patients and their families throughout the review.
This incident marks a significant moment for one of the country’s leading hospitals, raising questions around clinical governance and patient safety protocols.
