Review into Leslie Irwin Orthopaedic Surgery | Patient Concerns

Claire Levene
Solicitor

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By Claire Levene

Solicitor | Medical Negligence

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Review into Treatment Provided by Leslie Irwin, Hand and Wrist Orthopaedic Surgeon

Orthopaedic Surgeon Leslie Irwin, who specialised in hand and wrist surgery, worked for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust between 2001 and 2023. He also carried out private practice at Spire Washington Hospital.

It is understood that Mr Irwin retired from NHS practice in 2022 and was suspended by Spire Healthcare in 2023, with his practising privileges withdrawn in 2024. He subsequently gave up his General Medical Council (GMC) registration last year.

Concerns Regarding Patient Care

There are now serious concerns regarding the standard of care provided to a number of Mr Irwin’s patients. Spire Washington Hospital has begun contacting some former private patients to inform them that certain procedures carried out by Mr Irwin are under review.

Spire has also published a notice to patients on its website regarding this process.

Although Mr Irwin carried out a significant amount of private work, he also had a long NHS career. At present, only his private patients have been recalled, and it remains unclear whether a wider review of NHS-treated patients will be undertaken.

Reports from Former Patients

One former private patient, now in her 40s, reportedly underwent approximately 30 surgical procedures performed by Mr Irwin. While most of these operations were on her wrist, it is understood that some procedures were also carried out on her hip and shoulder.

Another patient reportedly underwent seven operations on his wrist and has since been advised that some of these surgeries should not have been carried out and that others were performed to a poor standard.

Key Issues Identified

The primary concerns raised include:

• Whether Mr Irwin performed surgery unnecessarily
• The technical standard of the surgery performed by Mr Irwin

Recommending surgery that a patient does not need is wholly unethical and contrary to professional standards and the law. Patients who have undergone unnecessary procedures, or who have suffered injury as a result of substandard orthopaedic surgery, may be entitled to pursue compensation.

How We Can Help

Our solicitors have extensive experience handling orthopaedic negligence claims involving surgery to the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, spine (neck and back), and other joints.

If you have concerns about treatment provided to you or a loved one by an orthopaedic surgeon—whether privately or through the NHS—contact our specialist team to discuss whether you may have a claim.