An orthopaedic surgeon who was suspended from Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after concerns about some of the operations she carried out has had restrictions placed on her work.
Kuldeep Stohr was suspended by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) after a review identified the “outcomes of treatment provided to a small number of patients were below the standard” expected.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. Picture: Keith Heppell
In one case, parents of a nine-year-old girl said after hip surgery carried out by Ms Stohr their daughter’s leg “would inwardly rotate almost to 90 degrees”. She needed further surgery to correct it.
And a Barrington woman, now 24, who was referred at the age of 11 told how left foot was left facing inwards after surgery carried out by Ms Stohr. She said she cannot bear to touch the side of her foot due to numbness and sensitivity.
In March, CUH said an expert clinical panel would review the care of almost 700 patients who had undergone planned surgical procedures during the time Ms Stohr had been employed by the trust.
The trust said the panel would also review 100 adult paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases to determine whether there were any concerns about the emergency treatment provided by Ms Stohr.
An independent investigation report, led by the specialist company Verita, into whether CUH missed opportunities to identify and address concerns about the practice of Ms Stohr is due to be published on Wednesday (29 October).
CUH has “apologised unreservedly” to patients and families affected.
Interim conditions have now been placed on Ms Stohr’s registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), restricting her ability to practice and requiring her to provide the GMC with information.
Ms Stohr must be “closely supervised in all of her posts by a clinical supervisor”.
A condition has also been issued that prevents Ms Stohr, except in life-threatening emergencies, from carrying out pelvic osteotomy, femoral osteotomy, or any surgery related to development of dysplasia of the hip unless directly supervised.
Ms Stohr also has to notify the GMC of any post she accepts before starting it and also has to notify the GMC within seven days if any formal disciplinary proceedings are started against her by an employer or contracting body.
A further condition limits Ms Stohr to working only within an NHS post or setting and she is not allowed to work as a locum or on a fixed-term contract.
A solicitors firm representing former patients of Ms Stohr said the restrictions are a “significant development”.
Elizabeth Maliakal, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “GMC restrictions have been imposed at a time when hundreds of people are waiting to be informed of the outcome of reviews into their own individual treatment.
“The restrictions are clear, and very specifically related to the types of surgeries we are investigating on behalf of a number of patients presently.
“Whilst the restrictions are placed on Ms Stohr’s practice, they also place a clear focus on management and governance of any NHS setting where she may work, which is welcome, and perhaps overdue.”