A shadow fell over Great Ormond Street Hospital, one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, as a disturbing truth began to emerge. A review revealed that nearly 100 young patients suffered devastating consequences following surgeries performed by a single surgeon, Yasser Jabbar.
These weren’t minor complications. Children were left grappling with chronic pain, debilitating deformities, and permanent nerve damage. In the most heartbreaking cases, the damage was so severe it led to amputation, forever altering the course of their young lives.
Many now live with “drop foot,” a condition that makes walking a constant struggle, forcing them to lift their legs unnaturally high to avoid falls. Others face the reality of legs differing in length by as much as 20 centimeters, a visible and constant reminder of the surgeries gone wrong.
The hospital initiated a comprehensive review of the care provided to 721 patients treated by Jabbar between June 2017 and September 2023. As the investigation deepened, the number of cases expanded to 789, revealing the scale of the harm inflicted.
The findings, expected to be presented to the hospital’s trust board, confirm that between 85 and 100 children experienced harm under Jabbar’s care. The severity varied, with at least 32 facing potentially lifelong disabilities and chronic pain, 36 with moderate harm, and 18 with milder injuries.
However, a wave of criticism is rising from families who believe the report doesn’t fully capture the extent of the suffering. Many accuse the hospital of fostering a “cover-up culture,” fearing the truth is being obscured.
One mother voiced her frustration, stating that her daughter’s report failed to accurately reflect the agonizing journey she endured. The discrepancies between official records and the reality of their experiences are fueling a growing sense of betrayal.
The case of Bunty Stalham is particularly harrowing. Born with a rare bone disease and a genetic condition causing nerve tumors, she underwent over ten surgeries with Jabbar over 15 months, each one failing to provide relief and leaving her in constant pain.
Despite multiple attempts to correct her condition, Bunty ultimately required a below-knee amputation. Her father, Dean Stalham, vehemently disputes the report’s assessment of “moderate” impact, stating that none of the surgeries offered any benefit and, in fact, worsened her condition, shortening her leg by eight inches.
Concerns about Jabbar’s work surfaced in 2022, leading to his suspension. A subsequent report by the Royal College of Surgeons deemed some of his procedures “inappropriate” and “incorrect,” prompting his departure from GOSH in 2023.
Jabbar relocated to Dubai, continuing to practice and even claiming to be a highly sought-after specialist. However, his past quickly caught up with him, leading to his removal from speaking engagements and hospital websites after reports surfaced detailing the harm caused to his young patients.
GOSH pledged to provide independent reports to each patient, detailing the level of harm suffered. Yet, insiders suggest that fundamental cultural issues within the hospital remain unaddressed, raising fears that such a tragedy could be repeated.
One source expressed a lack of confidence that anything would change if a similar situation arose again. The hospital has issued a statement expressing deep sorrow for the pain inflicted, but for many families, it feels like a hollow apology.
