CAMBRIDGE, England (FN) — Hospital officials at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge failed to act on 32 separate opportunities to intervene in the practice of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon accused of botching children’s surgeries, according to a damning independent review released this week.
Dr. Kuldeep Stohr, described by colleagues as “difficult” and “prickly,” continued operating on children for nearly a decade despite repeated concerns about her surgical judgment and technique. The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has launched a separate investigation into the care of approximately 800 of Stohr’s former patients.
Concerns about Stohr’s practice were first formally raised in 2015, but the report by independent investigators Verita found that hospital leaders misunderstood or dismissed critical findings from a 2016 external review. That review, commissioned by the trust, flagged technical errors and questionable decisions in Stohr’s surgeries, including hip and knee procedures.
Rather than restricting Stohr’s practice or placing her under supervision, hospital officials interpreted the review as evidence she could continue operating safely. The report’s findings were reframed as interpersonal conflict between Stohr and a colleague, also labeled “difficult,” rather than as clinical concerns.
“Collectively, these failings resulted in prolonged risk to patients,” the Verita report stated.
Stohr’s alleged shortcomings only came to light in 2024 when she took a leave of absence for personal reasons. Two colleagues who assumed her caseload raised fresh concerns, prompting a second external review that confirmed issues with her surgical technique and judgment.
The trust formally excluded Stohr from clinical duties in February 2025. She has not practiced since her leave began in March 2024.
The report also found that Stohr had an unusually high surgical workload and was under significant stress, with occupational health assessments in 2015 and 2024 noting unsustainable demands. Despite this, no adjustments were made, and hospital leaders appeared satisfied with her role in reducing waiting lists.
Families of affected children have called for a statutory public inquiry. Lynn Harrison, whose daughter underwent surgery by Stohr in 2021, said, “I want a meeting with Wes Streeting urgently and I want him to order a fully independent inquiry into this scandal and why my daughter and all the other victims were tortured this way.”
Solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal of Hudgell Solicitors said an apology and action plan were insufficient. “We now need a Statutory Public Inquiry which can compel crucial witnesses to give evidence,” she said.
Medical negligence lawyers echoed the call for accountability. “The report makes for extremely worrying reading,” said Natalie Truman of Irwin Mitchell. “It vividly highlights how a catalogue of missed opportunities by the trust resulted in problems being allowed to manifest for many years.”
Cambridge University Hospitals Chief Executive Roland Sinker apologized for the impact on patients and families. “We accept the findings and recommendations made in Verita’s report in full,” he said. “This should not have happened.”
Ed Marsden, founder of Verita, said the investigation revealed systemic failures in clinical oversight and communication. “This report highlights 32 missed opportunities to address concerns over a consultant’s practice between 2012 and 2024,” he said.
The trust has pledged to implement an action plan and continue supporting affected families as the separate clinical review progresses.
