"Unprecedented" number of patients seek help as investigation continues into operations by Sunderland surgeon

In January Spire Washington Hospital confirmed it was contacting and recalling some patients who were operated on by Dr Leslie Irwin.

The orthopaedic surgeon also worked at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Last month South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT), which runs the hospital, confirmed it was “liaising with Spire Healthcare to understand the scale of their patient recall” and were “currently working through the detail of which patients we may need to review”.

One patient who spoke with the Echo said she was “shocked and absolutely gutted” when she was unexpectedly contacted by Spire Washington Hospital over concerns about 30 surgical procedures carried out over the course of 20 years.

We were later contacted by one of Mr Irwin’s patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Georgia Sprago, who said she was wrongly told she may need to have her arm amputated.

Earlier this month fellow Sunderland Royal patient Lee Bruce told the Echo he had to change jobs after being told by his new consultant the pain, nerve damage and restricted movement he now has in his wrist has been caused by an “oversized” titanium prosthetic fitted by Mr Irwin.

Following publication of the stories, an increasing number of people have contacted law firm Slater and Gordon, which now says “well over 100” former patients of Mr Irwin have come forward.

John Lowther, the clinical negligence solicitor who is leading Slater and Gordon's investigations into Mr Irwin, said: "In just a few weeks, the scale of former patients coming forward to us has been unprecedented. I have not seen anything like this in my career.

"Clearly there are very significant concerns being raised to us and common themes emerging including multiple surgeries on the same body part and very poor surgical outcomes.

“Our investigations will continue for some time, but what we have seen so far has certainly been alarming."

Spire Healthcare confirmed in an earlier statement that Mr Irwin was suspended in August 2023 and they withdrew his practising privileges in September 2024.

In the most recent statement from the (STSFT) a spokesperson said: “We are liaising with Spire in relation to concerns over Mr Leslie Irwin and currently working through the detail of which patients the trust will need to review.

“We have also asked the Royal College of Surgeons to support us in this process.

“As part of this review, we will be in touch with any former patients directly and as a matter of priority.”

The General Medical Council confirmed “Dr Leslie Irwin is no longer registered, having relinquished his registration”, adding “we only have powers to investigate doctors who are GMC registered”.

We also contacted the Royal College of Surgeons who directed us to contact South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

A Spire Healthcare spokesperson said earlier: “If any Spire Washington patients have questions about the care provided by Mr Irwin, they can call 0191 720 3031 or email [email protected] and a member of the dedicated review team will call them back.”