Surgery negligence claims against Leslie Irwin

The case against Leslie Irwin

The full scope of the case against Mr Irwin is currently unknown, but it is thought that his negligence could have affected a significant number of patients during his time practising at the Spire hospital.

Spire Washington Hospital is now proactively contacting Mr Irwin’s previous patients and is asking any patients with concerns to make contact with them as soon as possible.

Who is Leslie Irwin?

Leslie Irwin is a former consultant orthopaedic surgeon who worked at Sunderland Royal Hospital, part of the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, from 1999 until his retirement from the Trust in 2022. Alongside his NHS work, he also practised at the private Spire Washington Hospital between 2001 and 2023, treating both private patients and those referred through the NHS. He was suspended from Spire in 2023, and his practising privileges were formally withdrawn in September 2024.

He is one of several surgeons in the UK whose historic clinical practice is being examined due to concerns about patient harm. His name appears on a list alongside four other clinicians whose treatments are under review, including disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson, who is currently serving a 20‑year prison sentence. The number of patients who may have been affected by Mr Irwin’s work is still being established.

The investigation into Leslie Irwin

Spire Healthcare began reviewing a number of procedures carried out by Mr Irwin in 2025 and issued a patient recall notice, inviting former patients to return so their care could be reassessed.

As public concern has grown, a significant number of people have come forward to us with worries about the treatment they received from Mr Irwin.

Senior Associate John Lowther is leading Slater and Gordon’s work on this matter and said: “There is a very significant number of cases coming forward and that is unprecedented in my career.

We have medical experts saying large numbers of procedures were avoidable. What we are seeing right now is terribly, desperately concerning.”

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed it has liaised closely with Spire to understand the scale of the recall and determine whether any of its own patients may have been affected. The Trust has stated that it is now working through which NHS patients may require a review, and they are preparing to contact those individuals directly as a matter of priority.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is also carrying out its own enquiries, with an updated inspection report expected soon.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has confirmed that Mr Irwin deregistered himself in 2025, meaning it is unable to undertake an investigation.

Northumbria Police has confirmed they are not currently involved in any criminal investigation.

Patient’s experience

One of the women affected is Georgia Spargo, who was treated by Mr Irwin from the age of 14. Between 2012 and his retirement in 2022, she underwent five operations on her dominant right wrist at Sunderland Royal Hospital. She now lives with severe pain and limited mobility, which affects her ability to carry out everyday tasks.

Georgia has Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome, a condition that makes surgery particularly risky. Despite being told that Mr Irwin was consulting a specialist colleague, she later discovered no such discussions were recorded in her medical notes.

After her first operation in 2012, Georgia’s pain worsened. Over the following years she underwent a bone graft, wrist fusion surgery and the insertion of metalwork – yet her symptoms continued. In 2021, Mr Irwin told her that amputating part of her arm was the only remaining option. This was later dismissed by another consultant after his retirement, who confirmed the amputation was unnecessary.

Another woman in her 40s underwent around 30 surgical procedures over a 20‑year period while under Mr Irwin’s care. Most of these operations were on her wrist, with additional procedures on her hip and shoulder, despite Mr Irwin specialising in wrist and arm surgery.

Independent medical experts have since confirmed that many of these procedures were unnecessary and poorly performed. She has now been told she requires further surgery to prevent the risk of her arm collapsing.

She described her experience, stating: “I had absolutely no reason to suspect anything was wrong. I totally trusted Mr Irwin. But the reality of what I have been told, and what I have since found out, has been the most shocking and utterly devastating thing I could ever have imagined. My life has been significantly impacted, for nothing.”

What to do if you’ve been affected by the Leslie Irwin case

If you believe that you or someone you love could have suffered unnecessary harm due to negligent or substandard treatment, we strongly recommended that you speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor as soon as you are able to establish the circumstances of your case and your eligibility to make a claim for compensation.

Jodie Cook, a Senior Associate within Slater and Gordon’s medical negligence team, said: “Clearly this is extremely worrying for patients of Mr Irwin, with Spire Washington Hospital proactively highlighting their concerns around his work over an unknown time period – for our clients, and particularly our client who has been brave enough to share her ordeal, the impact has been absolutely devastating.

“We would urge anyone who has been under the care of Mr Irwin, who has concerns around the care they received, to get in touch as a matter of urgency.”

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

Undergoing any type of surgery can be an incredibly stressful time, and learning that the procedure was unnecessary or caused additional, avoidable harm can leave you struggling to know what to do and who to trust.

At Slater and Gordon, our surgical negligence lawyers have many years’ experience in handling these complex cases, working hard to ensure our clients not only achieve the best financial outcome, but that they are also able to access some of the best treatment and rehabilitation available, allowing them to focus on recovery knowing everything is in hand.

Our team are industry leaders and are consistently ranked highly in independent legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. We’re also proud to count trained nurses and medical professionals among our number, providing us with expert knowledge in-house and helping to ensure our clients receive a top-quality service tailored to their needs.

If you’ve been affected by the case against Leslie Irwin, or you are concerned about the treatment you or a loved one has received from a medical professional, our specialist solicitors are on hand to support you. Speak to us today.