Botched 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 suspended.

Kuldeep 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 reviewed.

Cambridge 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 review.

He said the families had "no faith in the process" and felt Addenbrooke's was controlling the investigation and reviews.

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 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 secretary.

Tammy, who has cerebral palsy, has had life-long problems with her hip joints, causing her legs to face inwards.

Her 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 response.

He expressed concern that issues about Ms Stohr's clinical practice had been raised with CUH as early as 2015.

Ms Stohr's clinical practice was restricted in 2024 as a "precautionary measure" and she was suspended earlier this year following a review.

Mr 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."

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