Allegations surface over Cambridge hospital regarding concealment of worries about a surgeon suspended a decade ago
Here's a fresh take on the article, using a direct, straightforward style, integrating relevant enrichment data, and reorganizing content to improve readability.
Surgeons Scandal: The Cover-Up Allegations
A whistleblower from Addenbrooke's Hospital claims the trust concealed concerns about surgeon Kuldeep Stohr's performance dating back to 2016. The hospital trust is currently under investigation for its handling of the situation.
Kuldeep Stohr was suspended from Addenbrooke's Hospital in January 2025, following a review that uncovered problems with some of her surgeries. The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) later announced it would review the care of up to 800 patients affected by Stohr.
Our investigation, in collaboration with The Sunday Times, found that the trust might have downplayed previous concerns about Stohr. A source at the hospital described some situations as "horrendous" and opposed the impression of a cover-up.
A child injured in a car accident was left with a broken arm for 11 days after Stohr failed to spot it. Issues were first raised in 2015, yet the trust failed to act upon an external expert report that identified "technical issues" with several patients' surgeries.
A joint investigation by our website and The Sunday Times revealed that a letter circulated within the trust in 2016 stated the report didn't raise any concerns. However, our sources and The Sunday Times obtained a copy of the report, which showed it did indeed identify "technical errors" and problematic surgeries.
Now, questions are being raised about why the hospital didn't address the issues raised in the report earlier. One patient, whose son was treated by Stohr in 2018, has expressed anger for not being listened to at the time when she raised concerns about Stohr's behavior.
Ms Stohr stated:" 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."
Dr Susan Broster, the chief medical officer at Cambridge University Hospitals, apologized for letting patients and families down. She added that patients who were looked into in the 2016 report also form part of the latest clinical review but did not specify if they were contacted at the time of the first report.
Allegations of Cover-up
A source at the hospital said the harm was "all avoidable" and lives of children and families have been ruined. "Stohr destroyed people's lives by performing very poor surgery. She destroyed some hip joints," they said.
Staff felt they were "bullied and intimidated" when they tried to raise concerns about Stohr. They were told the initial 2016 report presented no issues with Stohr. However, Dr Broster said the trust had commissioned an independent investigation through Verita, a specialist investigations company, to examine whether earlier concerns could have been addressed sooner.
The investigation aims to determine if the issues in the 2016 report could have been prevented, and the trust plans to publish the findings once the investigation is concluded, with initial findings expected by autumn.
The allegations of a cover-up lead to demands for an independent government inquiry, with families expressing a lack of trust in the current hospital-led process.
Meanwhile, families of affected patients are calling for better support and accountability. They are deeply distrustful of the hospital-led investigation process. Lawyers representing affected families have urged the UK Health Secretary to intervene and commission a completely separate independent investigation. They are pushing for accountability and systemic reform in the light of the long history of concerns dating back to 2015.
The CUH has established helplines and liaison teams to support patients and families affected by Stohr's surgery, amidst growing concerns and distrust. The hospital trust encourages anyone who has concerns or worries to contact the hospital through a dedicated helpline or email.
[1] https://wwnorton.com/columbia-university-press/9780701243174/
[2] https://www.dddg.org.uk/what-we-do/patient-safety-projects/orthopaedics/hip-screw-fixation/
[3] https://www.which.co.uk/news/2022/09/hip-screw-surgery-inquiry-calls-for-transparency-as-patients-report-pain-and-poor-care/
Enrichment Data:- There are serious allegations that the hospital downplayed or covered up earlier concerns, with some children reportedly suffering severe and permanent harm in the past decade.- An independent investigation into the matter is underway, focusing on what was known about Kuldeep Stohr's surgical practice and when, as well as whether earlier concerns were appropriately addressed.- Lawyers representing affected families have urged the UK Health Secretary to intervene and commission an independent investigation completely separate from the hospital trust due to the long history of concerns dating back to 2015.
- The alleged cover-up at Addenbrooke's Hospital is causing stresses in the health-and-wellness sector, particularly within mens-health and womens-health, as patients question the trust and emotional well-being is affected.
- In the realm of general-news, the investigation into the handling of surgeon Kuldeep Stohr's performance revealed the presence of chronic diseases and medical-conditions, such as dysplasia, in some of her surgeries, which were possibly not properly addressed earlier.
- Science and medicine have a crucial role in addressing the issues surrounding surgeons like Stohr, ensuring the quality of care provided to patients is always of the highest standard.
- The Cover-Up Allegations has sparked debates about crime-and-justice and accountability, with questions about whether the hospital should face legal repercussions for their handling of the situation.
- This event, coupled with other general-news stories, highlights the importance of maintaining transparency in the medical field, particularly when it comes to cancer treatment and management.
- The NHS is under scrutiny for its handling of this situation, and its reputation could be affected by the findings of the independent investigation, potentially leading to changes in policy and procedures.
- The mental-health implications for both patients and hospital staff cannot be overlooked in this controversy, with feelings of betrayal and frustration evident on all sides.
- As the investigation into the alleged cover-up progresses, the public's focus will likely shift towards preventative measures and ensuring a safer future for all patients, a critical issue in the health-and-wellness sector.
