The hospital said it was "deeply sorry" for the harm caused
A review has found that nearly 100 children were harmed by a Great Ormond Street Hospital limb reconstruction surgeon.
The investigation into Yaser Jabbar uncovered widespread evidence of unacceptable practice in complex limb-lengthening and reconstruction procedures.
Jabbar worked at the London hospital between 2017 and 2022, treating 789 children, with 94 found to have come to harm.
Most affected patients were children he operated on, with 35 suffering severe harm, the report said. Another child experienced severe harm unrelated to surgery.
The review criticised premature device removal, poorly justified operations, incorrect bone cuts, flawed pinning techniques, and inadequate management of complications.
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) said it could not confirm whether every case of harm was avoidable, but concluded Jabbar’s practice was substandard in multiple areas. The hospital said it was “deeply sorry” for the harm caused and acknowledged failures in care and oversight.
Families have previously described the long-term impact on their children.
Bunty, born with a rare bone disease, underwent multiple operations before her lower leg was amputated, a case classed as moderate harm.
Her father, Dean Stalham, said the findings were “too little, too late” and argued concerns should have been identified sooner.
Lizzie Roberts said her son Tate underwent an unnecessary ankle operation without consent, when surgery was meant to be limited to his knee.
She said the hospital had effectively “marked its own homework” and that her son now lives with constant pain, has dropped out of college, and faces further surgery.
Both families have requested a police investigation, and the Metropolitan Police said it will review the report’s findings.
Jabbar, who trained in the UK, is now believed to live abroad and no longer holds a UK medical licence.
The investigation began in 2024 after concerns were raised by staff and following a Royal College of Surgeons review. That earlier review reported a “toxic” working culture, with staff describing some surgeries as “inappropriate” and “incorrect”.
NHS England’s London region is now reviewing how GOSH handled the case.
GOSH said it has implemented changes, including improved complaint handling, stronger whistleblowing support, and closer collaboration with the National Royal Orthopaedic Hospital on complex cases.
Before concerns emerged in June 2022, the trust had received seven complaints about Jabbar and investigated one serious incident, none of which prompted further action.
Surgeon Sarah McMahon reportedly raised concerns in 2021, but no action followed, according to a parliamentary statement by Dame Meg Hillier.
GOSH chief executive Matthew Shaw called the findings the bleakest day in the hospital’s history, said he was “deeply sorry”, and insisted the trust acted “incredibly quickly” once concerns were raised.
He added that detecting problems in highly specialised services with few NHS surgeons can be difficult, but said publishing the report could help the hospital “starting building trust with families again because they rely on us for many of the things that their children need”.
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