Exclusive: Health chiefs launch inquiry into trauma surgeon's work

Case study: Patient takes legal action over loss of leg following treatment

Bosses at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have ordered a review of treatment by consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Toby Branfoot.

The trust is already facing legal action from one of his patients who suffered catastrophic complications and had his lower left leg amputated six months after he underwent major reconstruction surgery.

But the decision by hospital bosses comes in the wake of a top-level investigation by the Royal College of Surgeons into about half a dozen cases of around 80 patients who were under Mr Branfoot's care when he last performed clinical duties at the end of 2008.

Managers confirmed the investigation was now being widened to look at the records of potentially hundreds of past patients of Mr Branfoot who has worked as a consultant in Leeds since 2002.

The Yorkshire Post understands concerns were initially raised by other specialists who treated a number of his patients when Mr Branfoot was off sick.

Among them was Simon Aitcheson, 21, of Oakenshaw, near Bradford, who lost his left leg in December 2008 after complications developed following an operation to lengthen the limb.

Rachelle Mahapatra, of clinical negligence specialists Irwin Mitchell in Leeds, said there had been a number of "missed opportunities" to rectify his problems and by the time Mr Aitcheson was reviewed by other surgeons it was too late to save his leg. She reported Mr Branfoot to the General Medical Council over the case.

"The amputation is an unnecessary tragedy which will affect his personal and professional life and is likely to cause further medical problems as he grows older," she said.

"Improving patient safety has to be the paramount concern of the NHS and its consultants and lessons need to be learned from this case to prevent anyone else having to go through what Simon has."

A Leeds trust spokesman said: "We are currently investigating Mr Branfoot's clinical practice as a result of concerns raised within the trust. He is currently performing non-clinical duties voluntarily. This has been the case since December 2008.

"As a result of the concerns raised, the trust asked the Royal College of Surgeons to look into a small number of cases of complex trauma surgery in order to have an independent expert professional view of the treatment and outcomes.

"A further review of cases is in progress. This is routine in such investigations. Where there is reason for concern patients will be contacted directly by the trust.

"We have a reputation for excellent trauma and orthopaedic surgery and there is a range of safeguards in place to ensure that patient care is of consistently high quality. These include a review of all cases by multidisciplinary teams from a range of clinical professions looking into what are often very complex cases.

"Complex reconstruction surgery and decision-making is now carried out by a team that works in conjunction with other trusts in the region to agree best practice and outcomes."

A spokeswoman for the Medical Defence Union, which represents Mr Branfoot, said he did not wish to comment.

The NHS trust said because of the legal action it could not comment on Mr Aitcheson's case.

A spokesman said any patients of Mr Branfoot's who had undergone complex trauma surgery and had concerns could call 0113 206 5005.