NHS trust faces close to 90 claims against same orthopaedic surgeon
Clinical Negligence News : 31 July 2012
A Yorkshire NHS trust is facing close to 90 claims from patients who were all operated on by the same surgeon, Manjit Bhamra.
To date, the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has paid out over £1million to settle 13 claims against the orthopaedic surgeon during his time at Rotherham Hospital between 2005 and 2007.
The trust has stated that 64 claims have been lodged with the possibility of 26 more to follow. It was later revealed by the Trust, “At this stage, we are unclear how many claims received will result in compensation being paid”
The compensation amounts so far range from £1,750 to £500,000, with the hospital having admitted liability in half of the settled claims but no admission in the other six.
A13th claim had also been settled for £11,000 and was agreed before any admission or denial of liability.
Mr Bhamra now works at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, which has "no concern about any aspect of his practice". Mr Bhamra refused to comment.
A spokeswoman for the trust confirmed, “We have entered into a protocol to investigate a number of claims arising from treatment provided by Mr Bhamra.
"Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases, we are supporting the process to ensure that any cases where compensation should be paid are identified as quickly as possible.
Mr Bhamra had twice been cleared in order to continue working following investigations by the General Medical Council, it was revealed.
"All medical staff that we recruit are subject to a robust recruitment process which complies with NHS guidelines and we routinely monitor the practice of all our surgeons using a range of measures.
The trust said Mr Bhamra retained a full licence to practise with the General Medical Council.