Public health in the UK: 'The doctor forgot a bag in my stomach'

The NHS said the work of its surgical teams is “continuously and closely monitored” and that “when results fall below our high standards, immediate action is taken”.

Back at the hospital, under some effects of general anesthesia, retired engineer Tom Hattries, 63, recalls consulting a doctor.

“I was conscious and I imagined the surgeon whispering in my ear. He said, 'I'm sorry,' and he said, 'We've made a mistake, and I have to take you back to the hospital. The operating room.'

On the way home after the operation, Hadris learned that the doctor was going over the details of the operation in his mind when he realized his mistake.

“He turned the car around and drove back to the hospital,” Hatrice said.

The same surgeon performed a second surgical procedure to remove both the sample pouch and the portion of bowel that was mistakenly left behind during the first surgery.

Deemed a “never-happened event” by the hospital board – something that should never have happened – the case was investigated as a serious incident.

The NHS body, which controls the hospital, has admitted that surgical errors in Hatrice's case caused the patient's recovery to take longer than expected. In 2020, the NHS apologized and agreed to pay £15,000 (roughly R$90,000) in compensation to the patient.

But the surgeon – who the BBC cannot name for legal reasons – remains active and continues to work for the NHS. He was later appointed to join the panel of experts, despite the differing assessment of some colleagues who did not consider him sufficiently qualified.

Further “questions about the competence of the surgeon” were raised in emails exchanged between senior staff and newly qualified doctors, including references to “an apparent increase in mortality rates over the years”.

Katie Urch, Medical Director at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The surgical team is committed to providing the best and safest care for patients, often in challenging circumstances.”

Due to the complexity of some surgeries, despite the teams' high professional qualifications, there is always an element of risk, he said.

“Results are continuously and closely monitored – internally and externally – and whenever they fall below established standards, immediate action is taken to prevent errors and improve processes.”

The NHS, the British public health system, has faced severe pressure in recent years – exacerbated by a series of factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic; tightening of funding; lack of manpower; And strikes by healthcare professionals due to salary adjustments can overburden teams and affect the care patients receive. Many wait months and even years to receive life-saving treatment.

The BBC has been investigating patient safety issues at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust for ten months.

In 2023, we received reports that patients had died needlessly, while others were “definitely mutilated.” A “mafia” management culture has also been reported.

The hospital chain says its top priority is providing “safe and effective care,” and that the data does not support allegations of unnecessary deaths and that there is no evidence of a toxic management culture.

Almost eight years after his hernia operation, Tom Haddries told the BBC he still suffers from the negative impact on his health.

“There's no doubt I'm struggling,” he says. “It affected me. My stomach is weak and I can't lift anything heavy.”