Latest news with #RaddSeiger
Sky News
11-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
NHS trust accused of 'covering up' concerns about suspended surgeon should be criminally investigated, say families of patients
The families of some patients who were treated by a now suspended surgeon have called for a criminal investigation into an alleged cover up by the NHS trust she worked for. A joint investigation by Sky News and The Sunday Times found the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) may have downplayed previous concerns about Kuldeep Stohr, who was suspended from Addenbrooke's Hospital in January this year. A 2016 report, seen by Sky News and The Sunday Times, identified "technical issues" with multiple surgeries done by Ms Stohr - despite a letter shared between staff at the time saying the trust was satisfied it did not raise any concerns. 3:05 A senior source at the hospital said children were "severely permanently harmed" as a result of Ms Stohr, and "some of the cases are horrendous". They said the damage could have been avoided and told Sky News there was "the impression of a cover-up". Radd Seiger, a lawyer representing a number of children and families treated by Ms Stohr, has now called on Cambridgeshire Police to open a criminal investigation into hospital leaders who investigated the surgeon for allegedly covering up patient safety concerns. He said the investigation should specifically investigate the 2016 external clinical review into Ms Stohr, which the Sky News report highlighted. In response to the Sky News report, Dr Susan Broster, chief medical officer at CUH, said the trust "apologises unreservedly to all the patients and families we have let down". She added that patients who were considered in the 2016 report also form part of a clinical review of the care of 800 patients, which was launched in March. Ms Stohr said: "I always strive to provide the highest standards of care to all my patients. I am cooperating fully with the trust investigation, and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time." What the 2016 report said The doctor who authored the 2016 report wrote he had "some anxieties about the technical aspects" of one patient's operation, and highlighted "technical error[s]" on several others. It added Ms Stohr did not always order CT scans after operations took place. The report also highlighted wider issues within the hospital, including a "divided department of paediatric orthopaedics" in which "discussion of difficult cases and mutual support does not exist". Ms Stohr was suspended at the beginning of this year after a 2025 report highlighted similar concerns, including around post-op imaging. It also raised concerns that Ms Stohr "frequently operates on her own", or with more junior members of staff. A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said: "We received an online report in relation to this matter today and are now in the process of reviewing the information sent to us." The CUH said it has set up a dedicated Patient and Family Liaison Team, and encourages anyone concerned about their care to call the dedicated helpline on 0808 175 6331 or email .
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Botched Addenbrooke's surgery families demand government meeting
Two mothers are urging Health Secretary Wes Streeting to "act now" after the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on their children was Stohr was suspended earlier this year from her role at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge amid concerns about care that was "below the expected standard".A girl with cerebral palsy who was left in agony after botched surgery on her hip joints is one of about 700 patients whose cases are being University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) has "apologised unreservedly" to those affected, while the Department of Health said it was working with the NHS to "take action as evidence emerges". Ms Stohr previously said she was fully co-operating with an investigation. Lawyer Radd Seiger, who is representing several affected families, is calling for an independent said the families had "no faith in the process" and felt Addenbrooke's was controlling the investigation and trust said a "rigorous process" was in place and that all cases would be "fully reviewed by an external panel of orthopaedic surgeons".Mr Seiger said Lynn Harrison, the mother of 12-year-old Tammy Harrison, and Nicola Muhlhausen, the mother of seven-year-old Oliver Muhlhausen, were seeking a meeting with the health who has cerebral palsy, has had life-long problems with her hip joints, causing her legs to face family's lawyers said a review noted "technical problems" with her hip surgery, with screws inserted in the wrong place. Mr Seiger has written to Mr Streeting on their behalf and is awaiting a expressed concern that issues about Ms Stohr's clinical practice had been raised with CUH as early as Stohr's clinical practice was restricted in 2024 as a "precautionary measure" and she was suspended earlier this year following a Seiger said he wanted Mr Streeting to "intervene immediately" and order an "entirely independent investigation, free from any connection to the trust".He added that he wanted the investigation to look at what happened in 2015 and to see if systemic reform was needed."The families are in crisis. They don't know who to turn to," said Mr Seiger. "The health secretary must act now."A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "This is a shocking case and our thoughts are with all of those affected."Families and patients should expect the highest quality care and communication at all times, and we are working with NHS England to take action as evidence emerges from the review by Cambridge University Hospitals."It is vital that patients and their families continue to be supported throughout the process so that they can be provided with the answers they deserve." Dr Susan Broster, chief medical officer at CUH, said: "We apologise unreservedly to the patients and families we have let down."There are around 700 patients in scope of the review and very sadly it is identifying some cases where the level of care has been below the expected standard."An independent investigation into missed opportunities for identifying and addressing this issue sooner is also being carried out by Verita, a specialist investigations company."We will ensure that the findings and recommendations are implemented in full." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Mothers of patients of suspended surgeon seek meeting with Health Secretary
The mothers of two children who were patients of a now-suspended orthopaedic surgeon are seeking a meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a representative said. Ms Kuldeep Stohr, who specialises in paediatric surgery, was suspended earlier this year from her role at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge amid concerns about care that was 'below the expected standard'. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) said the cases of around 700 patients are 'in scope' of an ongoing review. The trust said in March that the care of 'almost 700 patients who have undergone planned surgical procedures' would be reviewed, as well as 'an initial 100 adults and paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases to determine whether there are any concerns about the emergency treatment provided by this surgeon'. Radd Seiger, who is representing the families of several of the children who were operated on by Ms Stohr, said families feel the reviews and an investigation into what was known and when are being controlled by the hospital. He said they have 'no faith in the process'. The trust said a 'rigorous process' was in place and that all cases would be 'fully reviewed by an external panel of orthopaedic surgeons'. Mr Seiger said the mothers of two of the children – Lynn Harrison, the mother of 12-year-old Tammy Harrison, and Nicola Muhlhausen, the mother of seven-year-old Oliver Muhlhausen – are seeking a meeting with the Health Secretary. Tammy, who has cerebral palsy, has had problems with her hip joints throughout her life causing her legs to face inwards towards her body. Lawyers said a review noted 'technical problems' with her hip surgery, with screws inserted in the wrong place leaving her in pain. Mr Seiger has written to Mr Streeting on their behalf and is awaiting a response. He expressed concern in his message to the Health Secretary that issues about Ms Stohr's clinical practice had been raised with CUH as early as 2015. Ms Stohr's clinical practice was later restricted in 2024 as a 'precautionary measure' and she was suspended earlier this year following a review. Mr Seiger said he wants Mr Streeting to 'intervene immediately' and order an 'entirely independent investigation, free from any connection to the Trust'. He said he wants the investigation to look at what happened in 2015 and to see if systemic reform is needed. Mr Seiger said he wants accountability and for care and support for the affected children to be guaranteed. 'The families are in crisis, they don't know who to turn to,' said Mr Seiger. 'The Health Secretary must act now.' Dr Susan Broster, chief medical officer at Cambridge University Hospitals, said: 'We apologise unreservedly to the patients and families we have let down. 'A rigorous process is in place to ensure all cases are fully reviewed by an external panel of orthopaedic surgeons, led by Andrew Kennedy KC and including James Hunter, the national clinical lead for paediatric trauma and orthopaedics at NHS England. 'There are around 700 patients in scope of the review and very sadly it is identifying some cases where the level of care has been below the expected standard. 'An independent investigation into missed opportunities for identifying and addressing this issue sooner is also being carried out by Verita, a specialist investigations company. 'We will ensure that the findings and recommendations are implemented in full. 'We expect the initial findings of the review by the Autumn.' The trust said the terms of reference for the review and investigation are published on its website. 'Both NHS England and the ICB (integrated care board) are represented on the Oversight Board which we have established to oversee this issue,' Dr Broster continued. 'We are committed to getting to the answers for patients and families. 'Completing the individual clinical reviews will take time. 'Where the review has identified that harm has occurred, patients and families will be offered in-person meetings with a senior clinician, to go through the review findings of their case and to allow families to ask any questions as well as receiving a letter.' A dedicated Patient and Family Liaison Team is in place to support patients and families, the trust said. The dedicated helpline number is 0808 175 6331 or by the email
