In December 2019, Spire Healthcare began a precautionary patient notification exercise that alerted patients of Mr Hutchinson about concerns they had identified with his practice. The Spire Healthcare website indicated that this notification exercise remains active. Mr Hutchinson is no longer practising at North Bristol NHS Trust and Spire Healthcare have since revoked his practising privileges.
On 19 April 2022, the GMC imposed interim conditions on Mr Hutchinson’s right to practice, including being closely supervised in all of his posts by a clinical supervisor.
The GMC is bringing a formal misconduct case against Mr Hutchinson at a hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal which will consider Mr Hutchinson’s fitness to practice. The hearing is due to commence on 17 July 2023 and will consider the allegation that between 2014 and 2018, Mr Hutchinson failed to provide good clinical care to nine patients. The hearing will also consider allegations that on 17 occasions between 2015 and 2018, Mr Hutchinson claimed remuneration for procedures using incorrect coding which he knew would generate an overpayment.
Spinal Surgery Concerns
Mr John Hutchinson is a well-known spinal orthopaedic surgeon practising in the Bristol area. His special interests are listed as:
- Complex Revision Spinal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal decompression
- Spine fracture surgery
- Lumbar back surgery
- Scoliosis surgery
- Spinal deformity correction
- Thoracic back surgery
- Spinal deformity
- Spine tumours and infections
- Spine fractures and trauma
- Degenerative disc disease
- Complex spinal disorders
- Back Pain
- Lower Back Pain
- Arthritis (Spine)
- Sports-related spine injuries
It is believed that the procedures being investigated include scoliosis correction, fusion surgery and complex spinal surgery in particular. However, this initial investigation is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the potentially negligent procedures carried out by Mr John Hutchinson. It is believed that these procedures were carried out at the wrong level or were more extensive than deemed necessary.
Freeths involvement in the investigation so far
We are instructed by a former patient of Mr John Hutchinson who has concerns about treatment they received and we are investigating a claim for damages on their behalf. Many will have received letters from Spire Hospital or the North Bristol Hospital Trust confirming that their care is under review and we urge anyone who has received this notification to reach out to us.
Why choose Freeths?
- Our clinical negligence team is renowned for it’s expert knowledge. We will guide you through the process and will be with you every step of the way.
- You can trust our lawyers to be sensitive, empathetic, and considerate.
- Our experienced lawyers have dealt successfully with many spinal surgery claims.
- We have a very successful track record of claiming compensation for medical negligence cases.
- We offer free initial telephone advice, a free first interview and we can advise on funding.
Call us now on 0330 100 1014 or contact us online to see how we can help you and your family.
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