NHS England has announced a broader review of complex orthopaedic and spinal surgery services following the suspension of a surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The decision comes after an independent review found that multiple procedures performed by the surgeon fell below expected standards, leaving children with long-term mobility issues and requiring further corrective surgeries.
The hospital’s investigation, completed in January 2025, examined a series of paediatric hip surgeries performed over the past two and a half years. The findings prompted NHS England to expand its scrutiny beyond Addenbrooke’s to assess specialised orthopaedic care across the country.
Children Left With Long-Term Health Complications
According to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, nine children were directly affected by substandard procedures. While no amputations occurred, some patients suffered mobility impairments and required additional surgeries they otherwise would not have needed.
Trust Chief Executive Roland Sinker issued a formal apology, stating:
“We take this matter extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring all affected patients and families receive appropriate care and support.”
The hospital has alerted the General Medical Council (GMC), NHS England, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in response to the findings.
NHS England Expands Review of Specialist Orthopaedic Services
An NHS England spokesperson confirmed that a wider review of complex, low-volume orthopaedic and spinal surgery services will be conducted nationwide.
“In addition to the trust’s review and investigation into whether this unacceptable practice could have been stopped sooner, NHS England will conduct a broader assessment of high-complexity orthopaedic and spinal procedures. This builds on existing work to update service specifications for specialised paediatric orthopaedic surgery.”
The review will evaluate safety protocols, oversight measures, and surgical outcomes at specialist centres across the UK.
Calls for Stronger Oversight in Paediatric Surgery
The case has raised serious concerns about patient safety in high-risk surgical procedures, particularly for children requiring complex treatments. Experts stress the need for greater transparency, better monitoring of surgical outcomes, and improved safeguards to prevent similar cases in the future.
As NHS England moves forward with its nationwide review, affected families and patient advocacy groups continue to demand greater accountability and reform in specialist surgical care.
