Heart Surgeon's Failures Linked to Multiple Deaths at NHS Hospital
An investigation has revealed that the failures of a heart surgeon, Karen Booth, contributed to the deaths of seven patients at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Despite serious concerns raised by colleagues as early as 2018, the hospital's investigation didn't begin until 2021. The NHS investigation uncovered clinical errors, operations performed beyond her skill level, and a failure to seek assistance when needed.
Concerns and Investigation Delays
Colleagues at the Freeman Hospital initially raised concerns about Ms. Booth's performance in 2018. The hospital, however, delayed launching an investigation until 2021. The investigation revealed that Karen Booth allegedly carried out operations for which she lacked sufficient training and experience. The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the Freeman Hospital, has been criticized for its handling of the situation.
Family's Call for Action and Hospital's Response
The family of one deceased patient stated that Karen Booth "should never [again] practise as a surgeon". The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust did not directly address questions regarding the decision to allow Ms. Booth to resume her surgical career. However, the trust acknowledged a problematic working culture within the cardiac unit and cited internal reports that highlighted inadequate governance and a lack of accountability among senior staff.
The Case of Ian Philip
Ian Philip, a construction worker, died after an operation led by Karen Booth in March 2021 to address heart valve issues. Ms. Booth had planned an Ozaki procedure, a complex operation few UK surgeons can perform. While the procedure had been approved for use only in children and young adults by the hospital, Ms. Booth had permission to use it on patients with aortic valve disease.
During surgery, complications arose, leading to the abandonment of the Ozaki procedure and an attempt to repair a tear. Although this action was deemed "good practice," subsequent complications were compounded by the surgeons' failure to perform a graft bypass, a routine procedure that could have significantly increased Ian's chances of survival. He died six days later, aged 54.
"The scale of what had gone on – we would never even begin to fathom what had happened," Mr Philip's son, Liam, told the BBC. "We couldn't process it at the time. We walked out of there bewildered."
Findings of the Internal Investigation
The Freeman's investigation into Karen Booth, initiated in May 2021, examined 22 cases and revealed several contributing factors to the poor outcomes. These included surgical errors, a lack of awareness of her own skill limitations due to inexperience, and a failure to seek guidance from more experienced colleagues. While describing Ms. Booth as "an enthusiastic surgeon with inadequate insight into her skills and experience," investigators also noted the complex nature of the department's caseload and the absence of an effective multi-disciplinary team (MDT) process.
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), commissioned by the hospital, found evidence of bullying-type behaviors within the cardiac unit in a report conducted concurrently with the Karen Booth investigation.
Colleagues' Concerns and Hospital's Response
Emails from Ms. Booth's colleagues, dating back to 2018, reveal early attempts to raise concerns about her performance. One email indicated that eight of the 17 deaths between January and August 2018 were Ms. Booth's patients. Despite these concerns, an investigation was allegedly not initiated, nor was she suspended. Concerns were ignored due to "personal friendships and close associations".
In 2022, when questioned about Mr. Philip's death, Ms. Booth emphasized the department's poor working culture, stating that she "felt unsupported by the rest of [her] colleagues." The hospital reported Ms. Booth to the GMC in 2022, initially placing restrictions on her practice before lifting them in early 2024. Karen Booth is currently working at the Freeman in a non-surgical role, and has joined the hospital's support programme as a mentor for surgeons.
Call for External Investigation
Ian Philip's family is advocating for an external investigation into all of Ms. Booth's cases. The family's lawyer, Nick Ward-Lowery, believes there may be additional unreported serious incidents. The Freeman hospital states it is "currently considering" the next stage of Ms. Booth's phased return, while the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust asserts that the cardiac department "continues to be at or above the national average."
