Great Ormond Street Surgeon Yaser Jabbar Harmed 94 Patients, Report Reveals
A recent report into the actions of former surgeon Yaser Jabbar at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has revealed unsettling findings. The investigation disclosed that 94 children were harmed during the period Jabbar served at the hospital from 2017 to 2022. He specialized in lower limb reconstructions.
Key Findings from the Report
The report, released by GOSH on Thursday, examined 789 cases handled by Jabbar. It found that while the majority of children received appropriate care, 98 patients, which accounts for 12.4%, experienced some level of harm. Specifically:
- 94 cases were directly linked to Yaser Jabbar’s care.
- 36 children experienced severe harm, including delayed diagnoses and ineffective surgeries.
- 39 patients suffered moderate harm.
- 19 cases of mild harm were attributed to Jabbar.
Examples of harm ranged from unnecessary general anaesthetics to more severe complications. However, some patient records were incomplete, complicating the investigation.
Hospital’s Response
Mat Shaw, CEO of GOSH, publicly apologized to the affected families, acknowledging the significant breach of trust. He stated, “What has happened to these children is unacceptable and it is awful.” He emphasized that such practices from Jabbar were entirely inappropriate.
Current Status of Yaser Jabbar
As of January 2024, Yaser Jabbar voluntarily relinquished his medical license in the UK. He is believed to have relocated abroad. Although numerous families have initiated legal action, no active criminal investigation is currently ongoing against Jabbar.
This distressing situation underscores the importance of accountability in healthcare. GOSH continues to prioritize the welfare of its patients and has taken these findings seriously, aiming to restore trust with the families who relied on its care.
