Walsall Healthcare NHS Report: Over 90 Patients Harmed by Shoulder and Wrist Procedures

A report released earlier this month by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has identified that over 90 patients suffered harm due to surgeries performed by consultant shoulder surgeon Mr Munawar Shah. This follows concerns raised about Mr Shah’s surgeries, which led to a review of many procedures.

The Trust’s investigation found that Mr Shah had caused harm to 91 patients who underwent shoulder and wrist operations.

The report highlighted the primary factors which led to “actual patient harm” were as follows:

• Inadequate preoperative assessment
• Poorly thought-through treatment strategies
• Overly aggressive and inappropriate surgical procedures.

While the report also identified issues related to poor record-keeping and inadequate follow-up care, it determined that the most significant concerns were related to the competence of surgical technique, which BBC News highlighted in their article on the case: Sacked surgeon did not have ‘necessary’ competencies.

Over 400 patients had been recalled back in 2022, and a review was launched. The trust has stated in the report that all patients have now received a detailed letter outlining the findings of the external assessment of the care they received. Although most patients affected have now been reviewed, the Trust accept that with some cases more severe than others, the long-term needs of many individuals remain uncertain and may take a considerable amount of time to determine.

Mr. Shah was dismissed from his role at the Trust in November 2022.

Ashtons Legal is currently representing many of Mr Shah’s former patients.

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