The families of children affected by the actions of Yaser Jabbar, a disgraced former child surgeon associated with London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), have expressed intense dissatisfaction with the independent reviews conducted regarding the care their children received. Repeatedly describing the reports as a “whitewash” and a “final insult”, these families feel that the evaluations do not adequately reflect their children’s negative outcomes and the trauma endured. The disappointment stems from the belief that the assessments lack thoroughness and transparency, leaving many questions unanswered about their children’s treatment.
Yaser Jabbar performed various complex surgical procedures, including leg lengthening and straightening, while contributing to the care of children with intricate and difficult medical conditions. However, many cases associated with his practice resulted in dire consequences, such as lifelong injuries and even decisions leading to amputation. His departure from GOSH in 2023 was prompted by an alarming report from the Royal College of Surgeons, which concluded that some of his surgical procedures were found to be “inappropriate” and “incorrect”. This revelation triggered a comprehensive review across the 723 patients who had undergone surgical procedures with Mr. Jabbar.
Families were later informed by GOSH that independent assessments would be conducted to ascertain the level of harm experienced by each child after treatment by Jabbar. These evaluations were undertaken by specialist surgeons from outside the GOSH institution, who were provided only with patient notes maintained by the hospital. However, multiple affected families have voiced their concerns, asserting that many of the reports were concluded without any direct interaction or interviews with the patients or their families. This lack of engagement has left many feeling ignored and unheard in a process that profoundly affects their lives.
One mother pointed out the discrepancies in her daughter’s report, highlighting that it failed to document her daughter’s real-life struggles. She argued that the report relied solely on hospital records, which she noted were not kept accurately by Mr. Jabbar. Various parents indicated that these assessments seemed part of a broader “culture of cover-up” within GOSH, expressing that they felt severely let down by a hospital they trusted with their children’s lives.
Among the families, Dean Stalham, whose daughter Bunty was born with a rare bone disorder, criticized the report findings, stating it incorrectly assessed the severity of the physical and emotional trauma incurred by his daughter resulting from the surgeries. Despite undergoing numerous operations, Bunty ended up enduring significant pain and complicating factors, culminating in an amputation. Similarly, Claire Osborne highlighted the lack of communication regarding her daughter, Ella, who has been profoundly impacted by her treatment and expressed frustration regarding the superficial assessments of psychological harm.
Another mother, Hindiya Omar, initially felt reassured by Mr. Jabbar’s demeanor when she sought help for her son Mansur. However, after experiencing nerve damage and other complications post-surgery, she reflects on the devastating impact his treatment had on her child’s mobility and quality of life. The reviews indicated that he experienced “moderate harm” but were described by Ms. Omar as a stark misrepresentation of her family’s suffering, particularly given that Mansur now relies on a wheelchair due to the lasting effects of treatment.
GOSH has issued public apologies to the patients affected by Jabbar’s practices, promising to thoroughly assess patient care in line with NHS England guidelines. The institution emphasized its commitment to patient safety, reiterating that significant measures are in place to protect the well-being of every individual within its care. However, as more details surface regarding Jabbar’s operations across multiple hospitals, including St John and St Elizabeth, and Cromwell Hospital, the scrutiny of his past practices continues to unfold. Families are demanding accountability and seeking validation that their children’s experiences and pains have been heard and acknowledged.
