Free legal clinic this week for former patients of surgeon Leslie Irwin

Leslie Irwin, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who previously practiced at Sunderland Royal Hospital and Spire Washington Hospital, has been operating on patients living in Wearside since the 1990s.

After retiring from the NHS in 2022, he was suspended by Spire the following year following concerns being raised over his work as a specialist hand and wrist surgeon. He was banned from practicing by Spire in 2024, and Mr Irwin deregistered himself from the General Medical Council in 2025 – meaning he cannot be investigated by the body.

Since concerns about Mr Irwin’s work were made public, significant numbers of his former patients have come forward, with growing reports of multiple procedures on the same body parts and poor – and in some cases, life-changing – outcomes.

Slater and Gordon is acting for dozens of former patients – and to ensure as many people can secure legal advice as possible, its North East team is holding a legal clinic in Sunderland on Thursday (19th). Anyone with concerns can drop in, or can reserve an appointment in advance, to speak face-to-face with a lawyer and to establish their legal rights.

John Lowther, a specialist clinical negligence solicitor, is supporting a number of clients impacted by Mr Irwin’s work and will be attending the legal clinic.

“There are clearly great concerns over the fact that so many former patients of Mr Irwin have come forward, and we are keen to support as many as possible to find the answers they need over what went so wrong in their care,” says John.

“By holding this legal clinic, we want to help people to access the legal advice they need to understand their position and determine what next steps may be. Our team is acting for many clients already in this matter, and we have already spent many months investigating, so understand the issues in some depth.

“We would urge anyone with any concerns to come along and see us this week.”

Slater and Gordon’s free legal clinic will be held on Thursday (19th) from 10am to 2pm at the Beacon of Light, Stadium Park in Sunderland, SR5 1SN. Anyone is free to drop in, but appointments can be booked in advance by contacting dominic.smith@slatergordon.uk