A shocking review has concluded that a rogue surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) harmed nearly 100 children through a series of botched leg operations.
A Legacy of Pain and Deformity
The report, examining the work of former NHS surgeon Yasser Jabbar, 43, found children were left with devastating, often permanent injuries. These include chronic pain, deformities, and permanent nerve damage. In one tragic case, a child required an amputation following surgery.
Other young patients now live with the debilitating condition drop foot, which affects their gait, while some have legs of different lengths by up to 20cm. The hospital initiated a review into 721 patients treated by Jabbar between June 2017 and September 2023. This number later grew to 789 cases as the investigation progressed.
The trust has confirmed that between 85 and 100 children were harmed by the surgeon. Of these, at least 32 suffered severe harm, 36 moderate harm, and 18 mild harm.
Families' Fury and Claims of a Cover-Up
Despite the report's findings, many affected families have criticised it, alleging a 'cover-up culture' at the hospital. They accuse GOSH of failing their children and claim the review leaves more questions than answers.
One mother told the BBC that her daughter's report, based on hospital notes, did not reflect her medical journey, highlighting concerns that Jabbar was known for poor record-keeping.
The case of Dean Stalham's daughter, Bunty, is particularly harrowing. Born with a rare bone disease, she underwent multiple failed operations by Jabbar over 15 months, leaving her in agony. Despite the surgeries, which included bone grafting and limb lengthening, she ultimately required a below-knee amputation in May 2020.
Mr Stalham told the BBC the report's assessment of 'moderate' physical impact was 'simply wrong', and disputed the number of operations listed. 'Not a single one of Bunty's surgeries worked, and none of them were of any benefit to her whatsoever,' he said. 'When they were trying to lengthen her leg they ended up shortening it by about eight inches.'
Surgeon's Departure and Hospital's Response
Jabbar stopped treating patients at GOSH in 2022 after concerns were raised. Following a separate report by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) which found some procedures were 'inappropriate' and 'incorrect', he left the hospital in 2023. He subsequently moved to Dubai to continue working, but was later dropped by a medical conference and removed from hospital websites after his past was exposed.
GOSH has promised that each of Jabbar's patients will receive an independent report detailing the level of harm they suffered. In a statement, the hospital said: 'We are deeply sorry to all the children, young people and their families who have been hurt and impacted.'
However, the trust's credibility has been further challenged by insiders who claim fundamental cultural problems at the hospital remain unchanged. A source told The Times they lacked confidence that anything would be done differently if a similar situation arose again.
The full findings are expected to be presented to the hospital's trust board on January 29, 2026, more than two years after the surgeon was first suspended.
