Royal Derby Hospital Investigating 136 Cases After Initial Review Revealed Gynaecology Consultant’s “Lapses In Care” Resulted In “Unnecessary Harm”

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust, together with NHS England, have commissioned an independent external review of the care provided by an unnamed Gynaecology and Obstetrics Consultant.

The review will consider 136 major surgical cases that were carried out over the last three years, prior to July 2018 at the Royal Derby Hospital.

The Consultant is not currently working at the Trust and has not undertaken any clinical activity there since June 2018.

Those whose care will be reviewed have been contacted by the Trust. It is estimated that the review will be concluded after the current pandemic.

Patients suffered “unnecessary harm”

An initial review into the care of the Consultant’s patients began in late 2018 after concerns were raised by colleagues.

The treatment of 58 women was investigated which identified eight cases where “lapses in care” resulted in “unnecessary harm”. It has not been published what harm these patients suffered.

All of those who were “unnecessarily harmed” had undergone major surgical procedures, such as a hysterectomy at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Dr Magnus Harrison, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust Executive Medical Director, said:

 “I would like to express my sincere regret and apologies to any patients who may have received a standard of care that is below that expected. The trust took immediate action as soon as serious concerns about specific aspects of this consultant’s practice were brought to our attention.”

The Trust believe the number of women found to have been harmed might rise following the independent external review.