An independent review has concluded that 94 young patients were harmed by former orthopaedic surgeon Dr Yaser Jabbar at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). This finding, released on 29 January 2026, marks one of the most serious paediatric surgical safety scandals in recent NHS history and has led to an apology from the trust and a commitment to significant reforms in patient safety and surgical governance.
The clinical review examined 789 cases treated by Dr Jabbar, a consultant specialising in lower limb reconstruction and limb-lengthening procedures, between 2017 and 2022. It found that 94 children suffered avoidable harm directly linked to his care. The severity of the harm was categorised across three levels: 36 children suffered severe harm, including failed surgeries and delayed diagnosis of complications; 39 children experienced moderate harm, resulting in ongoing physical issues or treatment complications; and 19 children suffered mild harm, such as unnecessary general anaesthesia. Dr Jabbar was cleared of any direct harm in the remaining 642 patients.
The report highlighted serious deficiencies in Dr Jabbar's practice, including surgical errors such as incorrect bone cuts and misplaced implants, as well as poor planning and documentation. A clear lack of multidisciplinary oversight during complex cases was also noted. The consequences for some children were life-altering, including one patient who required an amputation later deemed preventable and another who suffered damage to the femoral artery. Families also reported significant limb-length discrepancies, chronic pain, and severe emotional distress.
Dr Jabbar's UK medical registration was rescinded by the General Medical Council (GMC) in January 2024, and he is currently understood to be working overseas in the United Arab Emirates. The controversy was initially brought to light by internal concerns raised by GOSH staff and external scrutiny from the Royal College of Surgeons, with warnings reported to the trust in 2020 and 2021 that reportedly went unacted upon.
In response to the scandal, GOSH has adopted Royal College of Surgeons recommendations, which include strengthening multidisciplinary surgical reviews, improving support for whistleblowers, and requiring external specialist input for complex cases. The scale of the harm has prompted a wider response: NHS England is launching a separate independent investigation starting in February 2026 to focus on systemic and governance failures at GOSH. Patient safety advocates, however, have criticised the review for a perceived disconnect from direct consultation with affected families, calling for greater transparency and patient involvement in future safety processes.
