Great Ormond Street Hospital Faces Scrutiny Over Harmful Surgeries
Published 29 January 2026
Highlights
- An independent review found that nearly 100 children were harmed by surgeon Yaser Jabbar at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) between 2017 and 2022.
- Of the 789 children treated by Jabbar, 94 suffered harm, with 36 experiencing severe consequences, including delayed diagnoses and failed surgeries.
- GOSH has apologized and implemented changes to prevent future incidents, while NHS England plans an independent review of governance failures.
- Families of affected children, including those of James Wood and Bunty, have expressed distress and called for further investigations.
- Jabbar, who now resides abroad, no longer holds a UK medical license, and the Metropolitan Police are reviewing the report for potential legal action.
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is under intense scrutiny following an independent review that revealed nearly 100 children were harmed by the surgical practices of Yaser Jabbar, a former consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital. The investigation, covering Jabbar's tenure from 2017 to 2022, highlighted significant failings in patient care, prompting apologies and promises of reform from hospital leadership.
Extensive Harm Uncovered
The review, which examined the cases of 789 children treated by Jabbar, found that 94 suffered harm due to his surgical interventions. Among these, 36 children experienced severe harm, including delayed diagnoses and failed surgeries. The report criticized Jabbar's surgical techniques, noting issues such as premature removal of bone fixation devices and operations conducted without clear rationale. GOSH Chief Executive Matthew Shaw expressed profound regret, stating, "We are profoundly sorry for all those affected and have made significant changes to minimize the chance of such incidents recurring."
Personal Stories of Impact
The report has brought to light the personal stories of affected families, including that of James Wood, a teenager from Norfolk. Wood, who underwent surgery at age 12, described the experience as "horrifying," leaving him in chronic pain and affecting his mobility. Similarly, Bunty, a young girl with a rare bone disease, had to undergo an amputation after multiple surgeries by Jabbar, a situation her father described as "too little, too late."
Institutional Reforms and Future Investigations
In response to the findings, GOSH has implemented several reforms, including enhanced training for handling complaints and ensuring complex cases are reviewed by multidisciplinary teams. Meanwhile, NHS England has announced an independent review to investigate potential governance failures at the hospital. A spokesperson for NHS England emphasized the importance of learning from these incidents to improve patient safety standards.
Legal and Professional Repercussions
Yaser Jabbar, who now resides in the United Arab Emirates, no longer holds a license to practice medicine in the UK. The Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing the report to determine whether further legal action is warranted. Families of the affected children continue to call for accountability and justice, underscoring the lasting impact of these medical failures.
What this might mean
The revelations from the GOSH review could lead to significant legal and professional consequences for those involved. If the Metropolitan Police find grounds for criminal charges, it could set a precedent for handling medical malpractice cases in the UK. Additionally, the NHS England review may uncover systemic issues within the hospital's governance, potentially leading to broader reforms across the healthcare system. Experts suggest that these developments could prompt a reevaluation of oversight mechanisms in pediatric surgery, ensuring higher standards of patient safety and accountability in the future.
