The orthopaedic review found 94 patients suffered harm during care provided by Yaser Jabbar.

The findings of the review, which were published today, concerned 789 patients who received treatment from Jabbar who worked at GOSH from 2017 to 2022.

Harm ranged from mild, such as an unnecessary general anaesthetic, to severe for situations including delayed diagnosis of complications or surgery that did not achieve the intended outcome. Thirty-six patients suffered severe harm.

The GOSH review followed a Royal College of Surgeons investigation published in 2024.

Matthew Shaw, chief executive, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, said: ‘We are profoundly sorry to all the patients and their families who have been affected by the care provided by Mr Jabbar, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at our hospital between 2017- 2022.  

‘The report we have published today sets out in full what happened, what we found in our review of patients, what we have learnt and what we have done as a consequence.  

‘We have made significant changes to both the orthopaedic service itself and across the hospital to minimise the chance of something like this happening again. Many of these changes are designed to help spot potential issues before they become a risk to patient care. 

‘We know this comes too late for the families affected by this issue, but we are committed to ensuring our hospital is a better and safer place for all current and future patients.'

Actions include: ensuring every surgical patient is reviewed by a large team before and following surgery; fortnightly meetings with Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to discuss complex cases with a wider specialist team; strengthening the processes to discuss care what has not gone to plan at monthly meetings; and agreeing outcome measures for children and young people with limb differences, conditions that affect the foot and ankle, and for neuromuscular conditions which require orthopaedic surgery. 

An NHS England London spokesperson said: ‘The issues raised in the report are deeply distressing for everyone affected. As the commissioner of services, we have a responsibility to make sure the NHS learns and improves when standards fall short.

‘We are commissioning an independent patient safety investigation to examine how Great Ormond Street Hospital responded when potential harm was identified within the limb-lengthening service. This will add to the existing understanding of what happened in this case and make sure that the NHS learns from this to protect children, young people and their families in the future.'

A Met spokesperson said: ‘We are in contact with GOSH in relation to this matter.

 

‘We will review the report commissioned by GOSH and assess whether there is any requirement for police involvement.'