Two surgeons claim they are being “de-skilled” as they are not being allowed to perform complex operations – despite a shocking review of their team last year.
Their worries come after the damning report, released in December, revealed that serious lapses in care for patients during surgery at Lynn’s hospital resulted in at least one person dying.
The duo, one a current surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the other a former member of the team, have voiced frustrations about the actions taken following the report by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
Surgeons at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are currently not allowed toperform ‘complex’ operations following a damning review last year
Surgeons are not allowed to perform complex surgeries at the moment, with patients having to travel to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for these procedures, while the QEH general surgery department is operating under supervision.
The two surgeons, who wish to remain anonymous, fear this change could be made permanent – but the hospital’s executive managing director, Michelle Arrowsmith, insists there are “currently no plans” for this.
Last year, it was revealed that the QEH’s general surgery department had issues with “big personalities”, “ego problems” and a “toxic culture”.
Michelle Arrowsmith is the executive managing director at the QEH
The whistleblowers admit this, but do not believe this should have resulted in surgeons no longer being allowed to perform complex operations.
Their views will no doubt come as a shock to family members of the person who died under their care, with the RCS report confirming the death was avoidable.
“I think what they are doing is wrong. It will destroy the hospital and the town,” one of the surgeons said.
“The surgery team does have some strong characters, and the toxic culture did begin to build up. People stopped going to meetings, but these were important.”
Despite these issues among staff, the surgeon claims that work was still completed as well as in any hospital in the country.
Again, this contradicts the RCS report, with the findings deemed so serious that all general surgery at the QEH must be supervised.
The two surgeons say the relocation of surgeries has put additional pressure on the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, as well as patients, many suffering from cancer, who have to make the lengthy journey to be operated on.
“It is massively inconvenient for patients and their families. People from this area do not like to travel for healthcare,” the other whistleblower said.
However, the hospital’s executive managing director has expressed serious concerns about these “rumours”.
Ms Arrowsmith said: “I want to be absolutely clear, there are currently no plans to make any permanent changes to the general surgery service at QEH.
“Any suggestions to the contrary are untrue, and I am deeply concerned about how quickly rumours like this can create real worry and concern for our patients, our staff and our wider community.
“General surgery is a vital part of our service provision, and we remain fully committed to working to ensure we maintain the required level of general surgery at QEH.”
Ms Arrowsmith said the report by the RCS identified “long-standing challenges” that bosses “are actively addressing”.
“Solely to ensure the highest standards of patient care and to support staffing resilience, we have made interim changes,” she added.
“This means that the most complex surgeries requiring overnight care are currently being carried out at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
“I appreciate that travelling further can be challenging for some families. Transport and patient experience considerations are integrated into patient care planning. Wherever possible, follow-up care will continue to be delivered locally.
“I take reassurance from the positive feedback from those who have been treated at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
“We hope people will understand that prioritising patient safety must be at the core of every decision we make. Our focus remains on maintaining safe and stable interim arrangements, while we develop a long-term solution for the future of general surgery at QEH and ensure it is consistently safe and effective for all our patients.”
The current QEH staff member told the Lynn News that surgeons are leaving the QEH as they fear they will be “de-skilled” while they are not allowed to perform complex operations.
“We have not been told when complex surgeries will be coming back to us,” they said.
“You will become de-skilled by default. It will close the hospital because the surgeons will leave. Patients would come to harm.”
The RCS reviewed 17 clinical cases at the QEH – eight original operations and nine complication or return-to-theatre cases – and eight were judged to have involved care below the expected standard.
The second surgeon fears the measures could potentially have other knock-on effects on the borough.
“It would not just impact the hospital, but the local economy too. The whole of West Norfolk will have no access to healthcare,” they said.
“Moving it temporarily is not good for anyone. People who provide emergency care will leave.”
Meanwhile, there is also added pressure on staff caused by the crumbling hospital being held up by thousands of props.
“It is horrific to work in. That is why it is being rebuilt,” the surgeon added.
“We need new surgeons to come to the QEH who would be willing to come. If they do not, the whole healthcare system will be impacted.”
Cllr Rob Colwell, who represents Gaywood, has also expressed concerns over the future of the general surgery department.
“West Norfolk is a largely rural area, where access to healthcare is already shaped by distance and transport limitations,” he said.
“The removal of a core surgical service from Lynn means that patients will now be required to travel considerably further for procedures, consultations, and emergency interventions.
“This is not merely an inconvenience – it has the potential to impact clinical outcomes, particularly for urgent and vulnerable cases.”