Neurosurgeon prevented from performing complex surgery.

A Midlands neurosurgeon has been prevented from performing complex surgery following negligent treatment.

Mr Hussein El-Maghraby is a consultant neurosurgeon at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust and the private Woodland Hospital in Kettering.

A review into Mr El-Maghraby’s practice was carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) following concerns being raised regarding his standard of surgery.

The RCS review identified that through Mr El Maghraby’s personal choice, he practiced within two areas of neurosurgery sub-specialisation that the Trust had not originally appointed him for, and for which he had not received any formal training.

The RCS reviewed four of Mr El-Maghraby’s surgeries and advised him to stop performing certain brain and spinal operations. University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust has since confirmed that Mr El-Maghraby has stopped carrying out the surgical procedures pending further training.

The RCS found that in one particular case, Mr El-Maghraby carried out spinal surgery on a patient with severe back problems, including curvature of the spine. Following surgery, the patient required a second emergency operation due to the incorrect positioning of the spinal screws. The patient has been left with permanent incontinence, severely restricted mobility and virtually unable to walk.

In another case, a patient of Mr El-Maghraby was left in a vegetative state after he operated on a benign brain tumour. Mr El-Maghraby caused irreparable damage to the patient’s brain and sadly, he died soon after the surgery. The patient’s medical notes included a short video which recorded parts of the surgical procedure. Chris Adams, head of neurological surgery at the former Radcliffe Infirmary commented: ‘This is very, very rough surgery. In fact, I'm appalled by it frankly. I have never seen this sort of tumour removed in this way. It's just completely contrary to how one does neurosurgery.’

In relation to the spinal case, Woodland Hospital apologised for the failures and said that ‘on this occasion we, and the consultant, did not provide the level of care that our patients have the right to expect’.

Patient safety should be at the top of the NHS agenda and there is no justification for any hospital not to deliver good quality and patient focused care. If you are concerned about the treatment you have received including from Mr El-Maghraby / University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust / Woodland Hospital then give us a call and discuss your concerns.

The medical negligence team at Bell Lax Solicitors has a wealth of experience in helping people who have suffered negligent and, in some cases, unnecessary spinal and brain surgery.

Our medical negligence team understand the magnitude of the physical and psychological impact that negligent treatment has on individuals and their families. We are committed to helping you to obtain the answers you need, and to secure the best possible compensation award to help you live your life as best as you can.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any treatment you have received, talk to one of our dedicated solicitors on 0121 355 0011.