The surgeon at the heart of the inquiry into issues with hip operations performed on children has had restrictions placed on her by the GMC. 

Suspended Addenbrooke’s Hospital surgeon Kuldeep Stohr has had restrictions placed on her by the General Medical Council (GMC).

The paediatric orthopaedic surgeon will not be able to conduct any pelvic osteotomy, femoral osteotomy or any surgery related to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), unless directly supervised by a specifically appointed specialist.

She is also only able to work in an NHS post or setting and must not work as a locum or on a fixed-term contract. 

Stohr was suspended in January after having her practice restricted by the Trust last October, when colleagues at the hospital raised concerns, as Healthcare Today reported.

The first concerns date back as far as ten years.

At the beginning of April, the external inquiry into issues with hip operations performed on children at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge was “This is a significant development as “GMC restrictions have been imposed at a time when hundreds of people are waiting to be informed of the outcome of reviews into their own individual treatment,” said Elizabeth Maliakal, head of clinical negligence at Hudgell Solicitors and who is representing the surgeon’s patients. 

“The restrictions are clear, and very specifically related to the types of surgeries we are investigating on behalf of a number of patients presently,” she continued. 

Interim orders

The restrictions placed on Stohr’s practice will be effective for 18 months. 

At an interim orders tribunal (IOT) hearing, it was ruled that to return to performing surgery, Stohr must be appointed a dedicated clinical supervisor by a responsible officer, such as a senior clinician who monitors and evaluates the fitness to practice of doctors connected to that organisation, and be closely supervised.

She must not conduct a pelvic osteotomy, femoral osteotomy or any surgery related to developmental dysplasia of the hip unless directly supervised, except in life-threatening emergencies.

She is also required to maintain a log detailing every such surgery she is involved in, which her supervisor must sign.

A copy of this log will be given to tribunal members at her next IOT review, the date of which is still to be determined, alongside a report from her clinical supervisor.

Stohr previously worked at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Specialist investigations company Verita has been looking into the surgeon’s actions in 2015, and the findings of that investigation are expected in the next few weeks.