Medical negligence police investigation

Medical negligence police investigation – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton became a scandal-hit hospital due to ongoing police investigations into allegations of preventable deaths and injuries. Sussex police were initially looking into 105 cases in 2023, with at least 40 fatal cases involved, but the number of cases is now over 200.

Allegations

The claims centre on care provided by the Trust between 2015 and 2021. The police became involved after two whistleblowers raised allegations of medical negligence at two of the Trust’s departments – neurosurgery and general surgery; this included at least 40 preventable deaths. The cases being investigated are now over 200.

By December 2023 there were at least four whistleblowers which had spoken out stating that patients had died unnecessarily whilst others were “effectively maimed” while being care for at the Trust.

One surgeon has been revealed as having used his own penknife, which he used to cut fruit and then open a patient’s chest in an operation. The same surgeon also carried out three supposedly low-risk operations in two months where all three patients died soon after.

Mr Lamah is one of the surgeons who has been highlighted in the investigation and concerningly, continues to operate at Royal Sussex County Hospital. The Trust has stated that they audited his NHS data, which showed that his outcomes were within the expected national range.

Mr Lamah’s colleagues have confirmed that on occasions relating to emergency operations, he would announce that he was setting himself a challenge to complete the operation within 45 minutes, despite there being no need to do so. A former colleague also confirmed that the surgeon had been “pulled up on a few occasions for things that were significantly unprofessional”.

The majority of cases appear to involve the neurosurgery department, and cases are being identified and sent to medical experts for their view for the basis of questioning patient care.

Police investigation

The police have been investigating allegations under ‘Operation Bramber’, which required the police to recruit extra investigators to support their work.

The investigations are ongoing and at this stage the police are considering gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter charges.

The allegations include that University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust failed to properly investigate mistakes, which can only add to the hurt and distrust associated with these allegations for the families involved.

Ally Taft, a Partner at the Medical Accident Group, said: “It is deeply saddening to learn of the number of people and families which have been, and continue to be, affected by these allegations of negligence.

“The families each deserve to know the truth and have questions answered surrounding the care they and loved ones have been provided. We are dedicated to assisting anyone who has been affected by these allegations and may have a claim of negligence against the Trust. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you do require any further information and help.”

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Meet the Team

Ally Taft, Head of Clinical Negligence

Starting out as a physiotherapist, Ally embarked on her legal training knowing that she wanted to specialise in clinical negligence from the outset. Now a partner for Medical Accident Group, her experience and medical understanding have stood her and her clients in good stead, combined, as they are, with her determination to seek justice for clients whose lives have been devastated by clinical negligence.

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