This is the story of Patient ‘O’, a young adult whose life has been severely impacted by the substandard care and questionable practices of surgeon Mr Yaser Jabbar, who worked at the renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London.
The harrowing experience of Patient ‘O’ sheds light on the systemic failures that allowed such negligent care to persist, and the fight for justice and accountability.
Mr Yaser Jabbar, an orthopaedic surgeon, joined the orthopaedic department at GOSH in June 2017 and quickly made a name for himself as a specialist in complex leg-straightening and lengthening procedures.
Yaser Jabbar’s tenure at Great Ormond Street Hospital
However, beneath the surface, concerns about Mr Jabbar’s practice began to emerge. Colleagues raised concerns about his “cavalier” approach to unexpected complications and his tendency to dismiss or even hide these issues, raising serious questions about patient safety under his care.
Patient O’s medical history and treatment at GOSH
Patient ‘O’ was born with Type V Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI); this is a severe type of brittle bone disease that causes his bones to be very fragile and break easily.
‘O’ first attended GOSH when he was two years old following his OI diagnosis. Throughout his childhood he was treated by GOSH’s OI service and underwent multiple orthopaedic surgeries to heal and prevent fractures. At four years old ‘O’ had metal rods inserted into both of his legs which were periodically replaced as ‘O’ continued to grow.
In 2018 ‘O’s orthopaedic care at GOSH was transferred to Mr Jabbar. ‘O’ saw Mr Jabbar regularly in clinics and underwent multiple surgeries. In February 2024 GOSH contacted ‘O’ to advise him that the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) would be investigating Mr Jabbar’s practice. The RCS review into ‘O’s care was ultimately highly critical of Mr Jabbar’s clinical assessment, decision making, surgical skill, and management of complications.
The flawed surgeries and clinical failures
Towards the end of 2017 ‘O’ was introduced to Mr Jabbar. In June 2018 Mr Jabbar carried out a surgery to replace ‘O’s right tibia rod – other than some bleeding at his knee post-surgery, the surgery and recovery seemed routine. Then ‘O’ began to develop worsening pain and stiffness in his right knee.
At a later follow-up review, a nail in the right tibia was seen on X-ray imaging to have migrated towards ‘O’s femur. ‘O’ was listed for urgent revision surgery. During revision surgery, as well as exchanging the nail, Mr Jabbar placed bone graft granules atop the nail – apparently with the purpose of keeping the nail in place. Later X-rays showed that the granules had migrated to the front of ‘O’s knee joint, causing the stiffening, but this was seemingly not recognised by Mr Jabbar.
The RCS review criticises the failure to recognise that the nail was migrating at earlier consultations. The delay in recognising this probably made the revision surgery more complex. The review also heavily criticises the decision to use bone graft granules – these were not necessary, and it should have been clear to Mr Jabbar that the migration of the granules into ‘O’s knee was a risk.
Royal college of surgeons investigation findings
The RCS review concludes that ‘O’ suffered ‘severe physical harm’ as a result of Mr Jabbar’s treatment. Since the 2018 revision surgery, ‘O’ has suffered significant pain in his right knee and remains unable to fully bend his knee. This has had a significant impact on ‘O’s mobility,he is unable to sit ‘normally’ in his wheelchair and is at significant risk of tripping and falling when making short walks. Having to sit this way also means that ‘O’ suffers from lower back pain.
The impact on Patient O’s mobiity and daily life
Since the surgeries carried out by Mr Jabbar ‘O’s daily life has been majorly impacted. Simple acts such as dressing and getting in the car are now that much more difficult.
Mr Jabbar’s poor care and the ongoing problems have caused ‘O’ to become very reluctant to attend hospital when he is in pain. Mr Jabbar had also failed to refer ‘O’ onto adult orthopaedic care once he reached adulthood and so ‘O’ is still awaiting a review with an adult orthopaedic surgeon.
Wider systemic failures within GOSH’s orthopaedic department
Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated incident, but part of a larger pattern of systemic issues within GOSH’s orthopaedic department. The RCS investigation revealed a “dysfunctional” team environment, marked by poor communication, a lack of collaboration, and hostility towards staff members who raised concerns. The report also highlighted failures in the hospital’s leadership which ignored or downplayed warnings from staff, allowing Mr Jabbar’s harmful practices to go unchecked for years, ultimately leading to the harm of hundreds of young and vulnerable patients.
The aftermath and ongoing legal battle
In the wake of the RCS investigation, GOSH has launched a comprehensive review of the cases of 721 children treated by Mr Jabbar, with the hospital acknowledging the “serious concerns” raised and apologising to the affected families.
Georgina Wade, Associate at Tees, is representing ‘O’ in the pursuit of justice for the harm caused by Mr Jabbar’s negligence. Georgina is also representing a number of other families who have been affected.
The case of Patient ‘O’ and the broader issues at GOSH highlight the critical need for accountability and transparency within the medical profession. When there is a breakdown of trust, and patient safety is compromised, the consequences can be devastating – not only for the individuals and families directly affected, but also for the public’s confidence in the healthcare system.
The call for accountability and reform
This case is one of several cases which serve as a call to action; healthcare providers must prioritise patient safety, foster a culture of openness, and swiftly address shortfalls in care when they occur. Only by committing to these values, can we protect vulnerable patients like ‘O’ and begin to rebuild and restore trust in the medical profession.
How Tees solicitors are supporting affected families
We recognise that this is a very emotional time for families affected by the treatment provided by Mr Jabbar. Our team of carefully selected solicitors representing clients affected by Mr Jabbar’s treatment are focused on providing quality legal advice whilst approaching your case with the care, understanding and needs of your individual circumstances.
While you may be part of a wider group of patients treated by Mr Jabbar, your story, your injuries and the impact on your life are unique.
We’ll take the time to understand what has happened to you and build a claim that reflects your unique experience. You won’t be passed from person to person – you’ll have a named expert guiding you every step of the way.
