An internal review by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has found that nearly 100 children were harmed by unacceptable surgical practices carried out by a former limb reconstruction surgeon.
The investigation examined the work of Yaser Jabbar, who worked at the London hospital between 2017 and 2022. During that period, Jabbar provided care to 789 children, with the review concluding that 94 patients suffered harm linked to his treatment.
Of those cases, 91 involved children who underwent surgery performed by Jabbar. He specialised in limb-lengthening and reconstruction procedures for children with complex medical conditions.
The hospital said it was “deeply sorry” for the harm caused. Jabbar, who trained in the UK, is understood to now be living abroad and no longer holds a licence to practise medicine in the UK.
The review found extensive evidence of substandard practice, including premature removal of bone fixation devices, operations carried out without clear clinical justification, incorrect placement of pins, and surgical cuts made at inappropriate levels of bone. Investigators also criticised how complications were identified and managed.
While the report said not all instances of harm could be proven to have been avoidable, it concluded that Jabbar’s poor practice “undoubtedly” caused harm to patients. More than a quarter of the children he operated on were affected, with 35 cases classed as severe harm. One additional case of severe harm was not linked to surgery.
Although individual cases were not detailed in the report, families have previously spoken publicly about their experiences. One child required a lower-leg amputation after multiple operations, while another patient was left in chronic pain following surgery that relatives say was carried out without consent.
Several families have called for a criminal investigation. The Metropolitan Police said it would review the findings of the report to determine whether further action is required.
The investigation was launched in 2024 after concerns were raised by a staff member. It followed an earlier review conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons, which highlighted serious concerns about working culture within the service. Some staff described the environment as “toxic” and raised alarm about inappropriate and incorrect surgery being carried out on children.
NHS England’s London region is now conducting a separate review into how GOSH handled the concerns once they were raised.
GOSH said it has already implemented changes, including improved complaints training, enhanced whistle-blowing support for staff, and mandatory discussion of the most complex cases with specialists at the National Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
The hospital acknowledged that prior to June 2022 it had received seven complaints and investigated one serious incident relating to Jabbar, all of which were signed off by NHS England at the time. However, concerns raised internally in 2021 were not acted upon, according to statements made in Parliament.
GOSH chief executive Matthew Shaw described the publication of the report as “the bleakest day” in the hospital’s history. He said he was deeply sorry for the harm caused and expressed hope that transparency would help rebuild trust with affected families.