Royal Derby Hospital
There are allegations the doctor left at least one patient in agony after operating on her (Picture: SWNS)

Hospital bosses have been criticised after refusing to name a surgeon who may have caused ‘unnecessary harm’ to almost 300 women.

A gynaecologist consultant, who is understood to have performed major surgeries like hysterectomies and the removal of ovaries in patients, has been placed under investigation after concerns were raised over his practice.

And 272 women have been added to the inquiry after some raised ‘serious concerns’ and one claimed she was left in ‘agony’ after an operation.

Former colleagues flagged the issues in late 2018 once the doctor left the Royal Derby Hospital.

But a review into the claims and his practice was only announced in April this year, more than a year after it was first raised.

Originally there 193 women thought to be involved, but now a further 79 are being included in the investigation.

But lawyers, who are acting for some of the women in the inquiry, now fear that there may be many more women out there who have no idea this investigation is happening since health chiefs have refused to divulge the doctor’s name.

NHS uniform close up, with a stethoscope.
Lawyers worry that many others have been affected by the surgeon (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

The consultant worked in the £33 million hospital between 2015 and 2018, before leaving his position for an unknown reason.

The latest 79 women were involved in intermediate care, such as a diagnostic test, between April 2017 and June 2018.

An initial review of 57 cases identified eight lapses of care resulting in ‘unnecessary harm’. The trust has already apologised to these women for the care they received.

But attempts to get the doctor’s name has been rejected due to ’employee confidentiality’, even with the repeated Freedom of Information requests.

The review was initially delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and is now expected to be published later this year. Health chiefs added the total number of people affected would not be known until an external review from NHS England is complete.

Medical staff transfer a patient through a corridor.
272 women are now part of the inquiry (Picture: AP)

Dr James Crampton, medical director for quality and safety, said: ‘It is important to widen the review at this time to investigate whether those who underwent intermediate care from this consultant received safe care.

‘We are doing this proactively, rather than in response to any specific concerns so that the review is as thorough as possible.

‘We will continue to work closely with NHS England to establish the full facts of the care provided by this consultant and will provide all the necessary support they need during their review.’

The Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust wrote in a statement: ‘The latest 79 women included are part of a review of intermediate care, such as a diagnostic test, that took place between April 2017 and June 2018.

‘Although there are no current concerns about the care these women received, the trust and NHS England have expanded the review to ascertain whether women who required intermediate care need to be included.

A female nurse consoles a patient.
Some patients have said they were left in ‘agony’ (Picture: Getty Images / iStockphoto)

‘Members of the public are asked to continue not to call the hospital switchboard in relation to this issue as all those patients who are potentially affected at this stage have already been contacted directly.

‘However, anyone needing further reassurance should visit the trust website for details of how to get in touch. Once the review is complete the anonymised findings will be published on our website.’

Earlier this year a clinical negligence lawyer for Slater and Gordon, Helen Barry, who is representing one of the women in the inquiry said that her client had been left in ‘agony’.

‘She felt something had gone seriously wrong and now these fears seem to be confirmed,’ she added.

She said the large number of women contacted also raised ‘serious concerns’ about ‘the level of supervision and oversight at this trust.’

Karen Reynolds, a partner of Freeths’ clinical negligence team, said: ‘I am sorry to hear of the large number of women who have been contacted as part of this investigation, particularly in light of the sensitive nature of the treatment they received.

‘But I am concerned there may well be other women who have not been contacted by the Trust who also may have been affected.’

Metro.co.uk has reached out to NHS England for a comment.

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