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The decision to allow a heart surgeon, Karen Booth, who was involved in multiple patient deaths to resume her career has sparked controversy. The head of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, expressed support for Booth to continue working at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle following retraining. An internal investigation found that Booth had made clinical errors, performed operations beyond her skill level, and failed to seek assistance when necessary, contributing to the deaths of seven patients.
Despite opposition from many of her surgical colleagues, the hospital is planning to reintegrate Booth into the cardiac unit after retraining. The family of one of Booth’s victims, Ian Philip, expressed astonishment at the decision to allow Booth to return to surgery. Sir Jim emphasized that Booth must undergo a period of support, retraining, and supervision before practicing independently again, whether at the Freeman Hospital or elsewhere.
The General Medical Council (GMC) has lifted restrictions on Booth’s practice following an initial investigation, further exacerbating the concerns of patients and families affected by her failures. The GMC declined to comment on why Booth was permitted to continue practicing surgery, despite her involvement in multiple deaths. Patient groups have criticized the GMC for taking too long to take action against problematic doctors, with only a small number of cases referred to a medical tribunal for performance-related issues.
Sir Jim Mackey acknowledged the frustrations of affected families and the ongoing investigation into Booth’s practice. The problematic working culture within the cardiac unit at the Freeman Hospital was highlighted in reports, indicating poor governance procedures and a lack of teamwork among clinicians. The hospital stated that it prioritizes patient safety and is considering the next steps for Booth’s return in line with review recommendations and external advice, despite the concerns raised by colleagues
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