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Cases double in NHS trust death and injury investigation

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Cases double in NHS trust death and injury investigation

Investigation Expands Amid Growing Concerns

Sussex Police has significantly expanded its probe into preventable deaths and serious injuries at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. What began with 105 cases in 2023 has now more than doubled to over 200.

The increase comes as more families have contacted authorities with allegations of substandard care. The investigation focuses on treatment provided between 2015 and 2021, primarily in neurosurgery and general surgery departments.

Concerns include at least 40 deaths that may have been avoidable. Police are examining potential offences such as gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter.

Background on the Trust and Initial Probe

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust operates several hospitals, including the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Previous BBC investigations highlighted serious issues within the trust's neurosurgery unit.

Whistleblowers raised alarms about unnecessary patient deaths, maiming, and a reported "gang culture" among some staff. A Royal College of Surgeons review identified a "culture of fear" and recommended leadership changes.

The police investigation launched in 2023 after these whistleblower concerns. It remains active and at an early stage, with no suspects named yet.

Key Departments and Alleged Harm

The majority of cases involve neurosurgery, where delays in care, training shortfalls, and high mortality rates have been alleged. General surgery cases also feature prominently in the expanded review.

Medical experts are now assessing each case to determine if standards of care were breached. This process is expected to conclude in early 2025.

The trust has faced additional scrutiny, including losing a legal challenge to block document disclosure in employment tribunals related to staff concerns.

Example: Surgeon Marc Lamah's Private Case

While not part of the police investigation (as it occurred in 2024), the case of Wendy Gibbs illustrates ongoing worries. The 80-year-old underwent pelvic prolapse repair by surgeon Marc Lamah at a Nuffield Health hospital in Brighton.

During the procedure, her bowel was snipped, leading to undetected bleeding, sepsis, emergency surgery, and a permanent stoma. Gibbs described feeling betrayed and suffering lasting trauma.

A former Nuffield director noted high complication rates linked to Lamah, with one-third of his patients experiencing moderate harm events over a year.

Categories: Medical Negligence, NHS Investigations, Patient Safety, Neurosurgery Concerns

Keywords: University Hospitals Sussex, Sussex Police investigation, preventable deaths, neurosurgery failings, Marc Lamah, Wendy Gibbs, gross negligence, Royal Sussex County Hospital

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Case Example: Stephen Coles' Death

Stephen Coles, aged 66, died in 2021 after neurosurgeon Carl Hardwidge removed a brain tumour. Post-operative cranial nerve damage prevented swallowing, leading to pneumonia and death after prolonged hospital stay.

An inquest raised no concerns, but a neurological expert later assessed the death as avoidable. The expert criticised the lack of a tracheostomy to protect the airway, stating responsibility lay with the operating surgeon.

Hardwidge's care has faced questions in at least three other cases. His sister, Julie Rhodes, expressed frustration over unanswered questions from the inquest.

Trust's Official Position and Improvements

The trust stated it is fully cooperating with Sussex Police. It emphasised that patient safety remains a priority and that action is taken on any evidence of poor care.

A spokesperson acknowledged challenges in neurosurgery since 2012, including longer waits for care, and offered sincere apologies. Chief executive George Findlay noted improvements under new leadership since 2017 but admitted much work remains.

The trust audited surgeon Marc Lamah's NHS outcomes, finding them within national expected ranges. It continues to support staff and patients amid the ongoing review.

Broader Context and Family Impact

The doubling of cases reflects growing public willingness to come forward. Families seek accountability for what they believe were preventable harms in a strained system.

Previous reports highlighted whistleblower fears, delayed interventions, and systemic issues. The investigation underscores the need for robust oversight in complex surgical departments.

With medical reviews ongoing into 2025, the probe could lead to charges if evidence supports criminal thresholds. It highlights persistent challenges in maintaining safe, high-quality care.

Implications for NHS Accountability

This expansion signals heightened scrutiny of historical care at the trust. It may prompt wider reviews of surgical governance and whistleblower protections across the NHS.

Experts stress the importance of timely expert assessments and cultural change to rebuild trust. Families continue to push for transparency and learning from past incidents.

The case serves as a reminder of the human cost when standards fall short. Ongoing cooperation between police, trust, and regulators will be key to resolution.

Categories: Medical Negligence, NHS Investigations, Patient Safety, Neurosurgery Concerns

Keywords: University Hospitals Sussex, Sussex Police investigation, preventable deaths, neurosurgery failings, Marc Lamah, Wendy Gibbs, gross negligence, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Carl Hardwidge

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Medical Negligence

Medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence (particularly in the UK), occurs when a healthcare professional provides substandard care that falls below the reasonable standard expected of a competent practitioner in similar circumstances, directly causing harm or injury to a patient.To succeed in a claim, four key elements (often referred to as the "4 Ds") must typically be proven:

Duty of care — A doctor-patient or similar professional relationship existed, establishing that the healthcare provider owed the patient a duty to provide competent treatment.
Breach of duty (or deviation from the standard of care) — The care provided was negligent, meaning it did not meet the accepted professional standards. This is assessed objectively, often with input from independent medical experts, rather than requiring "gold standard" treatment.
Causation — The breach directly caused (or significantly contributed to) the patient's injury or worsened condition. The harm must be more likely than not attributable to the substandard care.
Damage — The patient suffered actual harm, which may include physical injury, psychological distress, financial loss, additional medical needs, or reduced quality of life.

Common examples include misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, incorrect medication, failure to obtain informed consent, or inadequate aftercare. Not every poor outcome or medical mistake constitutes negligence—only those deviating from reasonable professional standards and causing avoidable harm qualify.In the UK, claims are pursued through the civil justice system, often against the NHS or private providers, with the goal of securing compensation to address losses and support recovery. Medical negligence cases can be complex, requiring expert evidence and strict time limits for claims.

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