Surgeon banned by private provider works at scandal-hit NHS hospital

Marc Lamah continues to operate on patients at the Royal Sussex County Hospital despite being stopped by Nuffield Health from working in their hospitals, following an investigation into safety.

It has been claimed that internal data collected by the private health provider showed that a third of Mr Lamah’s patients had experienced a "moderate harm event", when the expected level is five per cent.

However, he continues to work as a colorectal surgeon at the Royal Sussex in Brighton, managed by University Hospitals Sussex, which is under investigation by Sussex Police for allegations of negligence and malpractice in its general surgery and neurosurgery departments between 2015 and 2021. It is understood that at least 200 cases are involved.

Nuffield Health said following an independent investigation, Mr Lamah’s practicing privileges had been withdrawn.

"His conduct did not meet the standards of medical practice and governance we expect. Patient safety is our top priority, and we hold all consultants to the highest standards," it said in a statement.

Law firm Slater and Gordon is handling growing numbers of claims against UHS, including those involving Operation Bramber. 

Holly Cossutta, senior associate at Slater and Gordon, based in Brighton, says: "This is deeply worrying. While one healthcare provider has seen fit to stop this surgeon from operating on patients, University Hospitals Sussex - a Trust which claims it is absolutely committed to raising standards amidst a police investigation into the care it has delivered - continues to allow him to practice. 

"Clearly there are major concerns around the care being delivered at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and it is its surgical practices which are the subject of Operation Bramber, so this will not reassure patients at all. People who depend on this hospital and Trust for their care will rightly be asking questions yet again."