An independent review has determined that 94 children experienced harm under an orthopaedic surgeon who worked at Great Ormond Street hospital in London. Yaser Jabbar provided treatment to hundreds of children between 2017 and 2022, during which time his surgical practice consistently fell below acceptable professional standards across multiple critical areas.
The investigation revealed systematic deficiencies in surgical planning and execution. Problems included premature removal of fixation devices, combining procedures without clear justification, failing to adequately counsel patients about fracture risks, and delegating excessive responsibility to junior staff members without appropriate oversight.
Clinical documentation was frequently inadequate or incomplete, and surgical decision-making often lacked proper documentation and assessment. Structural instability resulted from poor surgical technique, with instances of bone cuts made at incorrect levels or using inappropriate methods. Implant placement errors occurred, and the surgeon sometimes failed to consult with the broader medical team when complications such as infections developed.
Experts identified that Jabbar demonstrated highly inconsistent clinical approaches with recurring problems in how he managed patient care. Clinicians reviewed all 789 cases he handled. Among these patients, 36 sustained severe harm, 39 experienced moderate harm, and 19 suffered mild harm. The remaining 642 patients did not experience attributable harm from his care. Several children required additional surgical interventions to address complications from their initial procedures.
Jabbar no longer holds a valid medical licence in the United Kingdom and is understood to reside outside the country. Hospital leadership expressed deep remorse, acknowledging that victims and their families deserved better care. The institution has implemented comprehensive reforms to its orthopaedic department and wider hospital systems, prioritizing early detection of potential problems to prevent future patient safety incidents.
