Claire Levene
Solicitor
Lorem ipsum..
Solicitor | Medical Negligence
Investigation into Cardiac Surgeon Following Multiple Patient Deaths
The General Medical Council (GMC) is conducting an investigation following the deaths of seven (7) patients at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, operated by The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The deceased patients were treated by Ms Karen Booth, a cardiac surgeon at the hospital. Concerns about Ms Booth’s practice were reportedly first raised by colleagues in 2018, but the Trust did not begin an internal investigation until 2021.
That investigation concluded that Ms Booth was responsible for multiple clinical failings which led to the deaths of seven patients and caused serious harm to another.
Findings of the Investigation
The investigation revealed a number of concerns which included:
- Performing the Ozaki procedure, a complex heart operation rarely carried out in the UK.
- Lack of governance or proper approval processes for new or experimental cardiac procedures.
- Failure to perform a graft bypass when clinically required.
- Surgical errors during operations.
- Inadequate multi-disciplinary team (MDT) collaboration and decision-making processes.
- Limited experience and lack of insight by Ms Booth into her own clinical limitations.
- Bullying-type behaviour among clinicians within the cardiac unit, potentially impacting patient safety and staff communication.
Current Status
Ms Booth continues to work for the Trust, though currently in a non-surgical role. The GMC is now conducting its own investigation, and it remains to be seen whether restrictions will be placed on her practice or registration in future.
Further details of the BBC’s report can be found here: Surgeon whose failures contributed to several deaths continues to work for NHS – BBC News
If You Have Concerns About Cardiac Surgery Negligence
If you or a loved one have been affected by negligent cardiac surgery or have concerns about the care received at Freeman Hospital or any other NHS or private hospital, you may be able to bring a medical negligence claim.
Contact Phoenix Legal Solicitors on 0151 306 3694 to speak in confidence with a member of our specialist medical negligence team. We can advise you on your options and may be able to assist on a no win, no fee basis.
0151 306 3694 Online enquiry