Parents urge health secretary to act over suspended Addenbrooke’s surgeon
A woman who is unable to walk for extended periods due to constant pain in her left foot has instructed lawyers to investigate the treatments she underwent at the hands of a now-suspended orthopaedic surgeon.
Ellise Kingsley, 24, of Barrington, and her family were given the impression that she had been seen by ‘one of the best in the business’ when she was under the care of surgeon Kuldeep Stohr as a child.
Ms Stohr, who specialises in paediatric surgery, was suspended earlier this year from her role at Addenbrooke’s Hospital amid concerns about care that was “below the expected standard”.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) said in March that the cases of around 700 patients who underwent planned surgery are under ongoing review. In addition, CUH said “an initial 100 adults and paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases” are being examined to determine “whether there are any concerns about the emergency treatment provided by this surgeon”.
The families of some patients who were treated by Ms Stohr have called for police to explore the handling of the case. Sky News and The Sunday Times reported that their investigation found CUH may have downplayed previous concerns about Ms Stohr.
A 2016 report, seen by the two media organisations, identified “technical issues” with multiple surgeries done by Ms Stohr.
Radd Seiger, a lawyer representing a number of children and families treated by Ms Stohr, has now called on Cambridgeshire police to open an investigation into the handling of patient safety concerns.
The mothers of two children who were patients of Ms Stohr are also seeking a meeting with health secretary Wes Streeting, Mr Seiger said.
Ellise was referred to Ms Stohr for surgery at the age of 11, having suffered from constant pain in her left foot and ankle throughout her early childhood.
Following an X-ray which identified an area of dead tissue, she said she was assured a surgical procedure would remove it and that her pain would lessen. But despite operations in 2012 and 2016, she said there was little or no improvement, leaving her unable to run or exercise for long periods.
She says her left foot has been left facing inwards and she cannot bear to touch the side of it due to numbness and sensitivity. Ellise is also limited by the footwear she can wear.
Ellise said: “When I look back to my time under the treatment of Ms Stohr, it was all very unclear with regards to what she was doing and why, and ultimately I had two surgeries which made little or no improvement to my quality of life at all.
“I expected my situation to improve after each of the operations but it never got any better. I missed a lot of school at the time, and I was left on crutches for long periods, so my social life suffered during my teenage years.
“She gave the impression that she’d done the best that could be done, but now I am doubting that.”
Solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal, of Hudgell Solicitors, represents Ellise and a number of other families.
She said: “We’ve seen so many cases in our legal work where patients are told the surgery has been carried out successfully when the reality is it has fallen way short of expected standards.
Ellise was given the impression the surgeries she underwent had been conducted successfully and that she had been put in the best possible position, despite being left with continued pain and discomfort which impacts on her quality of life every day.
“There clearly needs to be change. One case of avoidable harm being caused by the same surgeon is one too many. To have to review hundreds of patients suggests poor governance and failures at clinical and non-clinical managerial level.”
Mr Seiger, who also represents several families, said there is concern the hospital is controlling the reviews and investigation, warning they have “no faith in the process”.
The trust said a “rigorous process” was in place and that all cases would be “fully reviewed by an external panel of orthopaedic surgeons”.
Mr Seiger said Lynn Harrison, mum of 12-year-old Tammy Harrison, and Nicola Muhlhausen, the mother of seven-year-old Oliver Muhlhausen – are seeking a meeting with Mr Streeting.
Tammy, who has cerebral palsy, has had problems with her hip joints throughout her life causing her legs to face inwards towards her body.
Lawyers said a review noted “technical problems” with her hip surgery, with screws inserted in the wrong place, leaving her in pain.
Mr Seiger has written to Mr Streeting on their behalf. He expressed concern in his letter that issues about Ms Stohr’s clinical practice had been raised with CUH as early as 2015.
Ms Stohr’s clinical practice was later restricted in 2024 as a “precautionary measure” and she was suspended earlier this year following a review.
Mr Seiger said he wants Mr Streeting to “intervene immediately” and order an “entirely independent investigation, free from any connection to the trust”.
He wants the investigation to look at what happened in 2015 and to explore if systemic reform is needed.
Dr Susan Broster, chief medical officer at Cambridge University Hospitals, said: “We apologise unreservedly to the patients and families we have let down.
“A rigorous process is in place to ensure all cases are fully reviewed by an external panel of orthopaedic surgeons, led by Andrew Kennedy KC and including James Hunter, the national clinical lead for paediatric trauma and orthopaedics at NHS England. There are around 700 patients in scope of the review and very sadly it is identifying some cases where the level of care has been below the expected standard.
“An independent investigation into missed opportunities for identifying and addressing this issue sooner is also being carried out by Verita, a specialist investigations company.
“We will ensure that the findings and recommendations are implemented in full. We expect the initial findings of the review by the autumn.”
The trust said the terms of reference for the review and investigation are published on its website.
“Both NHS England and the ICB (integrated care board) are represented on the oversight board which we have established to oversee this issue,” Dr Broster continued. “We are committed to getting to the answers for patients and families.
“Completing the individual clinical reviews will take time. Where the review has identified that harm has occurred, patients and families will be offered in-person meetings with a senior clinician, to go through the review findings of their case and to allow families to ask any questions as well as receiving a letter.”
A Patient and Family Liaison Team is in place to support patients and families and can be reached via 0808 175 6331, or CUH.helpline@nhs.net.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This is a shocking case and our thoughts are with all of those affected. Families and patients should expect the highest quality care and communication at all times and we are working with NHS England to take action as evidence emerges from the review by Cambridge University Hospitals.”
