NHS Report Reveals "Risk-Taking" Doctor Daniel Hay Harmed Dozens of Women
A recently published NHS report has uncovered significant failings in the care provided by former Derby doctor Daniel Hay. The report, completed three years prior to its release, details how Hay, a former obstetrician and gynaecologist at Royal Derby Hospital from 2005 to 2020, performed unconsented surgeries and went largely unchecked by hospital management, causing harm to numerous women.
Key Findings of the NHS Report
The review of Mr. Hay's cases from 2015 to 2018 at Royal Derby Hospital and Ripley Hospital, which assessed 383 cases, revealed disturbing findings. "Major" concerns of harm were identified in 48 cases, while "some" concerns were noted in 68. Two women suffered "severe physical harm" and three suffered "moderate" physical harm. The report highlights potential "issues of care" for an additional 13 women.
- 48 cases rated red (major concerns)
- 68 cases rated amber (some concerns)
- 209 cases rated green (no concerns identified in the review)
Lack of Consent and Unnecessary Hysterectomies
A key concern raised was the performance of hysterectomies on women who either did not want them, were unaware they were undergoing the procedure, or were not informed of alternative, less-invasive options. This resulted in the unnecessary removal of women's ability to start families, leading to significant and ongoing mental health issues and affecting their relationships and employment.
“Many patients were often subjected to inadequate or late consent processes. This poor practice did not point out the benefits and risks and whilst it rarely resulted in adverse clinical outcomes, it undoubtedly unsettled and disturbed some patients.”
Failures in Monitoring and Oversight
The report is heavily critical of not only Mr. Hay's actions but also the lack of oversight from his former employer, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB). The review noted that Mr. Hay demonstrated poor clinical judgment, took shortcuts in patient assessments, and increasingly took risks. The support of colleagues and "good fortune" were cited as factors that prevented even greater harm.
Specific shortcuts taken by Hay included failing to request pre-operation scans, neglecting to examine patients before operations, and omitting full family histories. Concerns were raised by consultants, theatre staff, and managers as early as 2017-2018 but were not adequately addressed until years later.
Recommendations and Ongoing Investigation
Following the report, several recommendations were made to the trust, including implementing measures to identify poorly performing clinicians, ensuring no consultant works in isolation, and mandating attendance at multidisciplinary team meetings. A "Phase 2" review, expanding the investigation to cases before 2015, has been approved and will commence in the autumn. Derbyshire Police are also conducting a criminal investigation into Mr. Hay's conduct, with Hay having been interviewed under caution.
| Recommendation | Description |
|---|---|
| Identify Poorly Performing Clinicians | Implement measures to identify and address clinicians not meeting standards. |
| End Isolated Work | Ensure no consultant works in isolation to encourage collaboration and oversight. |
| Mandatory Team Meetings | Require clinicians to attend multidisciplinary team meetings for comprehensive patient care. |
The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust has issued an "unreserved apology" to the affected women. Mr. Hay relinquished his medical license in July 2021 and has apologized for the harm caused, citing ongoing mental health issues.
