Families Criticise Great Ormond Street Hospital Failings After Surgeon Harmed 94 Children
Families and victims affected by disgraced former Great Ormond Street Hospital surgeon Yaser Jabbar have spoken out following a damning report that found 94 children were harmed during his care. The investigation revealed that over five years, the former orthopaedic surgeon caused significant damage to almost 100 young patients, with many suffering permanent consequences.
"Excruciating Pain" and Permanent Scarring
Janetta Nana-Owusu was just 12 years old when she underwent a botched surgery to straighten her legs at the hands of Jabbar six years ago. She was among the 36 children who suffered "severe harm" according to the report. Speaking about her experience, Janetta described "excruciating pain" following her first operation, stating "the pain was really horrible."
The procedure left her with permanent scarring along the length of her leg, and she still cannot walk long distances while continuing to suffer from chronic pain. Her mother, Catherine, expressed that the ordeal has been "very upsetting, very devastating" and continues to affect their lives profoundly.
Missed Opportunities and Delayed Treatment
Another family, Darren and Kate, shared the story of their son Vinnie, now 16, who has been under Great Ormond Street's care since he was approximately 10 months old. Vinnie has a deformity to his left knee that makes it significantly larger than his right one. Jabbar performed a surgery described by Kate as one where "they basically go in and freeze it."
Following the procedure, Vinnie developed frostbite and was discharged just one day after surgery despite living two-and-a-half hours away from the hospital. Kate recalled the experience as "all very scary at that time," noting that her son's knee condition has deteriorated significantly since the operation, severely impacting his mobility.
Four-Year Gap in Care
After Jabbar was struck off, the family experienced what they describe as a complete breakdown in communication and care from the hospital. "We had eight cancellations in that time," Kate explained, revealing that no medical professional noticed her son's leg was growing at a bow angle during this four-year period.
It wasn't until the beginning of this year, after consulting a different doctor, that the family learned Vinnie would definitely require a leg procedure. Darren expressed their profound disappointment, stating: "We kind of put our faith in what's known as one of the best children's hospitals in the world, and now they've missed a four-year window to correct his leg, which is now going to make the procedure much more difficult."
Psychological Trauma and Lasting Impact
The families emphasised that the harm extends far beyond physical injuries. Darren noted that while his son "always tried," the injury "really held Vinnie back, especially sports-wise" and has affected the entire family psychologically.
Kate highlighted the mental trauma experienced by both children and parents, explaining how parents carry "that guilt that they should have picked up" that things weren't right. She made a powerful statement about the inadequacy of apologies, saying: "Vinnie is still left with all the scars and the trauma that he's had to endure since he could walk. An apology isn't enough, is it?"
Hospital Response and Moving Forward
Yaser Jabbar no longer works at Great Ormond Street Hospital and did not respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations. The hospital's chief executive, Matthew Shaw, acknowledged the failures, stating: "There are no excuses for what has happened."
Shaw expressed being "deeply and profoundly sorry" for the harm victims suffered but insisted that "the department today is safer than it has ever been." The hospital has been contacted for further comment regarding the specific cases mentioned and their plans to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The revelations have raised serious questions about patient safety protocols, communication between medical staff and families, and the long-term support provided to children who experience medical complications during treatment at what is considered one of the world's leading paediatric institutions.
