A review into the care provided by suspended paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Ms Kuldeep Stohr at Addenbrooke’s Hospital has identified harm in hundreds of patients.
An update published in Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) board papers, and subsequently reported by the BBC, states that 994 patients have now had an initial clinical review. Of those, 209 patients, around 21%, were found to have experienced harm.
The majority of those affected were children who received elective orthopaedic treatment. Of the 209 patients identified as having experienced harm, 139 were children who had received planned care.
The review also identified 47 cases classed as severe, including one fatal case. 31 patients have required additional care related to the incident, while 60 patients and family members have accessed psychological support. These figures remain subject to the completion of the external clinical review.
What is the latest review finding?
The review is examining the care provided by Ms Stohr, who was suspended by Addenbrooke’s Hospital following concerns about the standard of her surgical care.
Concerns about Ms Stohr’s practice have been the subject of investigation for some time. An earlier independent investigation by Verita found a series of missed opportunities between 2012 and 2024 to identify and address concerns about her clinical practice.
The Trust has previously accepted the findings and recommendations of that investigation in full. The separate external clinical review, chaired by Andrew Kennedy KC and involving senior orthopaedic consultants from NHS trusts around the country, is examining individual patient outcomes.
The latest update indicates that 93% of cases have now been fully reviewed. The final external review is expected to provide confirmed findings about the level of patient harm.
What does this mean for patients and families?
For families who have been told that their child may have experienced harm, these figures will be deeply concerning.
The numbers also only tell part of the story. Every patient will have their own circumstances, treatment history and ongoing healthcare needs. For some families, the consequences may include further surgery, rehabilitation, pain, mobility problems, psychological distress or uncertainty about the long-term impact of treatment.
Sophie Stuart, Associate in the Tees medical negligence team, is supporting a significant number of families affected by Ms Stohr’s care.
“We are supporting a significant number of families through this process, who are seeking answers about the treatment they received at Addenbrooke’s, and who are understandably struggling to understand how their care could have gone so seriously wrong for so long impacting on so many families. For many, the consequences are not simply medical—they have affected their quality of life, their ability to study or work and their confidence and trust in the healthcare system.
Where patients have suffered avoidable harm, they deserve a proper explanation, accountability and, where appropriate, access to justice and compensation. It is vital that the experiences of affected patients and their families are listened to carefully and that the lessons from these cases are acted upon to prevent similar harm in the future.”
Tees is supporting affected families
Tees has been supporting families affected by concerns about Ms Stohr’s care since the wider review was announced.
Our specialist medical negligence team is representing a significant number of families affected by this matter. We understand that each family’s circumstances are different, and that legal advice needs to take account of the individual patient, the treatment they received and any ongoing consequences.
A compensation claim cannot undo what has happened. However, where medical negligence is established, compensation can help meet the cost of future treatment, rehabilitation, care, equipment and other support that a patient may need.
We also recognise that families may have questions about the review process, their treatment and what the latest findings mean for them. Our role is to provide clear advice and support while the independent review continues.
If you or your child were treated by Ms Stohr at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and you have concerns about the care received, our specialist medical negligence team can discuss your circumstances with you.
Call Tees on 0800 013 1165 to speak to our medical negligence team.
