The case of 12-year-old Tammy Harrison has brought to light serious concerns about pediatric surgical care at one of the United Kingdom’s most respected hospitals.
Tammy, who lives with cerebral palsy and has suffered from hip problems for much of her life, underwent a surgical procedure in 2021 at Addenbrooke’s Hospital—part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
What was supposed to be a stabilizing operation turned into a long and painful ordeal, allegedly due to technical failures during surgery by a now-suspended surgeon. This case has now become one of the first to be publicly addressed in an ongoing external clinical review into the practices of consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ms Kuldeep Stohr.
The trust is now under intense scrutiny as it reviews nearly 800 patient cases linked to Ms Stohr’s work. The revelations emerging from these reviews are sparking outrage among families and fueling calls for systemic reform in how concerns are handled within NHS trusts.
Surgery That Led to Pain Instead of Relief
Tammy Harrison’s surgery was meant to be a life-changing procedure. Living with cerebral palsy, Tammy had long faced mobility challenges, particularly due to the way her hip joints developed—causing her legs to turn inward. In 2021, her family was hopeful that surgery would help stabilize her hip and improve her quality of life. However, what followed was far from the anticipated recovery.
According to her lawyers at Hudgell Solicitors, Tammy was left in excruciating pain in the aftermath of the operation. She remained bedridden for weeks, dependent on painkillers well beyond what her family had been advised.
Her mother, Lynn Harrison, recalls the agonizing ordeal that followed: “She had to remain on painkillers much longer than we’d been advised she would need, and she didn’t leave her bed for weeks, having to have pillows and cushions around her. She was in agony and wouldn’t leave the house.”
It was only after the recent findings of the independent investigation into Ms Stohr’s surgical practices that the truth began to surface. The review revealed “technical problems” during the surgery, specifically identifying that screws were placed incorrectly.
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They were not aligned properly with the bone and were too low to provide the intended structural support. This misalignment led to gradual displacement, meaning the surgery had not only failed but had left Tammy in significant pain and without the intended benefit of increased stability.
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The impact of such a failure cannot be understated. For Tammy Harrison and her family, this was not simply a failed operation—it was a betrayal of trust. They had placed their faith in medical professionals to improve Tammy’s life, only to find themselves facing more suffering and unanswered questions.
A System Under Review and a Family Seeking Answers
The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged the shortcomings in Tammy’s case. A formal written apology has been issued to her family, along with an admission of substandard care. While this acknowledgment is significant, it has not brought closure.
Solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal, representing the Harrison family, criticized the lack of transparency in the review findings. “It is very brief, lacks detail, and is unclear,” she said. “It raises more questions than it answers.” The lack of comprehensive explanation has prompted the family’s legal team to seek their own independent medical experts to analyze Tammy’s treatment.
Meanwhile, the trust maintains that it is providing opportunities for affected families to meet with senior clinicians to discuss review findings in detail, either in person or online. They have also established a dedicated patient and family liaison team to guide families through the ongoing review process.
However, this gesture comes after years of frustration for the Harrisons. Lynn Harrison expressed deep disappointment that, despite raising concerns multiple times after Tammy Harrison’s operation, they were never informed of the misplaced screws.
Post-operative x-rays failed to prompt further investigation or corrections. “Never once were we told after she had x-rays that the screws had been in the wrong place or that they were not fully connected. They left her in pain,” she said.
The breakdown in communication, coupled with delayed acknowledgment of the surgical errors, highlights systemic issues in patient care and oversight. Families like the Harrisons are left not only to manage the physical impact on their child but also to navigate a complicated and often unresponsive healthcare system in search of answers.
A Broader Crisis in Pediatric Orthopaedic Care
Tammy’s story is not an isolated incident. It is part of a much larger review involving nearly 800 patients treated by Ms Kuldeep Stohr. The consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who specialized in pediatric care, was suspended earlier in 2024 amid rising concerns about her clinical performance. An internal review was launched, which eventually evolved into a comprehensive independent investigation.
The trust has stated that the full review will take at least a year to complete. Additionally, it has commissioned a separate investigation into when concerns about Ms Stohr were first raised and how they were handled. Alarming details have already emerged indicating that questions regarding her performance may have been raised as early as 2015.
If true, this would mean that nearly a decade passed before decisive action was taken—a timeline that has provoked considerable concern among patient advocates and the public.
The trust has promised to publish and implement the findings of this wider investigation by the end of July 2025. Until then, families like the Harrisons continue to endure uncertainty, waiting to understand how such errors could occur and be overlooked for so long.
The situation raises critical issues about clinical accountability and the oversight mechanisms in place within NHS Trusts. How was a surgeon allowed to continue operating on children despite early concerns? Why were families not promptly informed when errors were identified? And what steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen again?
These are not just questions for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust but for the entire UK healthcare system. Ensuring patient safety, especially for vulnerable children, must be the utmost priority. Trusts must be proactive in responding to clinical concerns, transparent with families, and thorough in implementing corrective action.
In Tammy’s case, the failure to detect and address surgical errors in a timely manner has caused a young girl unnecessary suffering and may have long-term consequences for her health and development. The trust’s apology, though important, is not a substitute for accountability and change.
As the review continues, the hope is that Tammy’s story serves as a catalyst for reform, not only to deliver justice for affected families but also to ensure that future patients receive the safe, competent, and compassionate care they deserve.