A “deeply troubling” number of women have been told their cases are being reviewed as part of an inquiry into a gynaecologist’s care.
Royal Derby hospital has informed 136 women who underwent surgical procedures by the same consultant that their patient records will be confidentially shared as part of the review.
Eight women were previously found to have been “unnecessarily harmed” after undergoing major surgical procedures, such as hysterectomies, by the clinician.
The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS foundation trust said it had informed those who were affected by the latest review earlier this month.
One woman was left in “agony” after being operated on by the gynaecologist – who has not undertaken any clinical activity at the trust since June 2018 – according to her lawyer.
Helen Barry, who specialises in clinical negligence at the law firm Slater and Gordon, told the BBC: “The sheer number of women who have been contacted is deeply troubling.
“My client was left in agony and with dangerous complications after undergoing what she was told was a routine operation. She felt something had gone seriously wrong and now these fears seem to be confirmed.”
Barry added that the number of women who are believed to have been affected raised serious concerns about the level of oversight at this trust.
An initial review into the unnamed clinician was launched by the trust after concerns were raised by their colleagues in late 2018.
It considered the treatment received by 58 women and identified the eight cases where “lapses in care” had led to “unnecessary harm” earlier this month, although it has not been revealed what harm was caused to the women.
Although the trust said complications were a possibility with medical procedures, it admitted the rate of “serious complications” among the patients treated by the consultant was higher than would usually be anticipated.
NHS England has now been asked to establish an independent clinical review of the consultant’s other work, leading to a further 136 women to be contacted. It will determine if those patients have been caused any harm by deficiencies in their care.
They have been told their medical records will be confidentially shared as part of the review.
In a statement, the trust’s executive medical director, Dr Magnus Harrison, said: “I would like to express my sincere regret and apologies to any patients who may have received a standard of care that is below that expected.
“We will be working closely with NHS England to establish the full facts and will provide all the necessary support they need during their review.”