Calls have been made for an impartial investigation into the oversight lapses of an NHS hospital that missed multiple opportunities to address concerns regarding a surgeon accused of mishandling pediatric surgeries. An internal review revealed that there were 32 occasions where actions could have been taken against Kuldeep Stohr, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, for allegedly botching surgeries on children. However, hospital management failed to intervene, allowing Stohr to continue working at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, putting patients at prolonged risk.
Experts emphasized that steps to mitigate harm could have been taken to prevent the persistence of deficiencies in Stohr’s practice over the years. Complaints against Stohr included allegations of poorly executed hip surgeries and knee reconstructions. The hospital trust has issued an apology for the adverse impact on patients and their families.
Following an operation on her daughter Tammy, Lynn Harrison demanded an independent inquiry. Tammy, a 13-year-old with cerebral palsy, experienced post-operative pain after a procedure to stabilize her hip joint. The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is reassessing almost 800 cases involving Stohr, with Tammy’s case among the initial reviews, which highlighted technical issues with her surgery.
A separate investigation unveiled missed opportunities between 2012 and 2024 to safeguard patients, rather than focusing on individual cases. Concerned about Stohr’s practices, a colleague raised formal concerns in 2015, leading to an external review that highlighted technical and judgment issues. However, the review’s conclusions were inadequately understood, and Stohr was allowed to continue practicing without restrictions or closer supervision.
Stohr ceased practice in March 2024 and was formally excluded in February 2025 after colleagues who took over her workload raised concerns, triggering another review that confirmed problems in her surgical technique. The hospital’s chief executive expressed deep regret over the ordeal faced by patients and families, accepting the recommendations outlined in the investigative report.
Legal representatives, including solicitors from Hudgell Solicitors and Osbornes Law, are advocating for a Statutory Public Inquiry to hold individuals accountable and ensure justice for affected patients. Families affected by Stohr’s actions are calling for a significant shift in NHS culture to prevent such incidents from recurring. The failure to act on recommendations in 2016 allowed Stohr to continue substandard practices, leaving patients vulnerable to avoidable harm. Legal experts urge affected families to seek legal advice to ensure their voices are heard and accountability is achieved.