Spire Healthcare has initiated a review concerning retired surgeon Leslie Irwin, following allegations related to surgeries performed at the Spire Washington Hospital in the North East of England. The healthcare firm has contacted former patients amid concerns regarding the quality of care provided by Irwin, who specialized in hand and wrist surgery.
The review was announced after multiple patients expressed distress over their experiences with Irwin. One former patient described her reaction as “shocked” and “absolutely gutted” upon learning that there were concerns regarding her care. This patient had undergone over 20 surgeries performed by Irwin, and the implications of the review have left her feeling disillusioned about her medical treatment.
Irwin has been suspended since August 2023 and had his practicing privileges withdrawn earlier this year. He has also voluntarily de-registered with the General Medical Council, raising further questions about the surgeries he conducted.
Another patient, Michael Liddell, aged 54, underwent seven surgeries with Irwin after developing a lump on his wrist in 2015. Liddell’s solicitors at Fletchers revealed that he received a letter in December suggesting that some of the surgeries were unnecessary and conducted poorly. This news has left him feeling “frightened” and questioning the necessity of the procedures he endured.
Liddell expressed his anguish, stating, “This ordeal has consumed my life for the last decade, and then to find out that it could have been avoided has been really hard to come to terms with.” He described living with constant pain, comparing the sensation to having his hand “constantly in a bucket of ice.”
Another patient, who chose to remain anonymous and is represented by Slater and Gordon, shared her sentiments about the shocking revelations. She had trusted Irwin completely, feeling secure in his hands due to their long-standing relationship. “The reality of what I was told… has genuinely been the most shocking and utterly devastating thing I could ever have imagined,” she said.
A spokesperson for Spire Healthcare confirmed that they are conducting a thorough review of specific procedures performed by Irwin. “We are in direct contact with all relevant patients to review their care and offer support,” the spokesperson stated. The review follows NHS England’s National Quality Board: Recall Framework, which Spire Healthcare helped to develop. Patients with queries have been encouraged to reach out directly to Spire for assistance.
The South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged awareness of the concerns regarding Irwin’s private practice. They confirmed that he retired from the Trust in May 2022 and are currently evaluating any implications arising from these issues. Importantly, the Trust indicated that it is not recalling any patients at this time.
Both Fletchers and Slater and Gordon have opened legal clinics to assist individuals who believe they may have been affected by Irwin’s surgeries. They are providing support and guidance for those seeking to understand their rights and options in light of these developments.
As the review unfolds, patients and their families are left grappling with the implications of their surgical experiences. The situation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in healthcare, underscoring the need for rigorous oversight of medical professionals to ensure patient safety.
