Lawyers call for review into several heart surgery failings

LAWYERS have called for an independent investigation into Newcastle heart surgery failings as “more than a dozen” patients have come forward concerned by treatment they believe may have led to death or health complications.

- By SAM VOLPE

This comes following concerns about the work of an individual surgeon at the Freeman Hospital.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that an investigation into the practice of surgeon Karen Booth - as part of a legal case, led by medical negligence specialists Hudgell Solicitors into the death of Blyth man Ian ‘Beano’ Philip, 54 - saw the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust which runs the Freeman accept responsibility for his death.

The trust said his death would have been avoided had Ms Booth taken appropriate action when required during surgery.

Mr Philip's family shared their story with the BBC after investigations by the lawyers found how Ms Booth’s colleagues at the hospital had reported 22 cases to the trust in which she had operated, dating between April 2018 and April 2021. They had raised concerns over resultant death or disability.

The BBC and lawyers for the Philip family reported there were seven cases like his which were believed to have led to death.

Now, following the story's appearance in the media, the team at Hudgell Solicitors said that more than a dozen patients or relatives of those to undergo heart surgery at the hospital had come forward with concerns about treatment.

The solicitors said this included relatives of those to have died following heart surgery or have suffered complications.