In March 2023, our expert medical negligence team called for greater transparency regarding an inquiry into spinal surgeon John Bradley Williamson, following concerns about negligent treatment. We are seeking clarity to ensure all affected patients are informed and supported appropriately.
Since our request, no formal report has been published, though it’s believed that some patients have been asked to take part in an informal review.
As a specialist in spinal surgery, Mr Williamson treated patients for scoliosis at Salford Royal, The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and the nearby private Spire Hospital. He began working at Salford Royal in 1996 and was dismissed by the Trust in 2015. However, in September 2022, more than 100 of his former patients were recalled for assessment by surgeons at the Northern Care Alliance Trust, which now runs the hospital.
We are also aware that The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital may be conducting its own review of patients treated by Mr Williamson during childhood. Patient Claim Line is supporting individuals through this process. If you have been affected, please contact us for a free assessment.
One of our clients, now in his 30s, underwent spinal surgery at Salford Royal in 2012 for a pre-existing condition affecting his bones and muscles. In 2022, he received a text asking him to contact Salford Royal regarding concerns about his treatment. Failings identified included the use of an outdated MRI scan, which resulted in screws being placed incorrectly during surgery. The investigation concluded that an updated scan could have prevented these complications and avoided the need for a third surgery.
Our client shared:
“When you undergo surgery, you place your trust and health in the hands of professionals, believing they have your best interests at heart. It’s incredibly hard to learn that more could have been done to protect me and other patients. The failings have had a significant impact on my life, even after a decade. What’s even more distressing is that concerns about my surgeon’s practices were raised multiple times, including during an internal investigation in 2014, but were ignored. I hope that now the full extent of these failings has come to light, the Trust acts on its promise to learn important lessons.”
A Sunday Times article in March 2023, with a follow-up in July 2023, reported on allegations of a cover-up by managers and a “toxic culture” within Mr Williamson’s surgery team. The article referenced an internal list from 2014 detailing some patients being left paralysed or in severe pain due to misplaced spinal screws, while others required life-saving surgery.
The actions of Mr Williamson have also been linked to the death of a 17-year-old during surgery at Salford Royal. The Northern Care Alliance Trust confirmed a spinal patient safety review was initiated to investigate concerns about Mr Williamson’s care.
Christian Beadell, Head of Group Actions at Patient Claim Line, commented: “Our client waited more than a decade for this matter to be taken seriously. The lengthy delay contradicts the NHS’s duty of candour, and it has been incredibly difficult for those involved to uncover the true extent of the failings. We are calling for an independent review of both Mr Williamson’s actions and the Trust’s response.”
What Happens Next?
Patient Claim Line is one of the leading medical negligence firms, with extensive experience handling group claims related to medical negligence. Our clients seek justice not just for themselves but to ensure that similar events do not happen again. If you have been affected, contact us for a free chat to discuss your options.
Have You Been Impacted?
If you’ve been affected by treatment from Mr Williamson and want to explore your options, we offer a no-obligation chat to explain how we can help. Most claims of this nature are funded on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning there’s no financial risk to you if your claim is unsuccessful. Contact our team today, and they will guide you through the next steps.
Independent Support Group
An independent support group has been established by those affected. They aim to support each other, share information, and work together to uncover the truth. You can contact them via email at jbwpatients@gmail.com or connect with them on social media:
Key allegations
Poor clinical practice which may have resulted in unnecessary/incorrect surgery
Not acting on concerns raised by other clinicians
Links to the death of a 17-year-old who died during surgery
Patients being left paralysed or in severe pain
Cover-up by managers and 'toxic culture' within the team
Mr Williamson's actions were “unacceptable and unjustifiable”
An NHS-commissioned report found that the “unacceptable and unjustifiable” actions of her surgeon, John Bradley Williamson, “directly contributed” to her death. According to the report, Mr Williamson continued the surgery despite being explicitly told he needed a second consultant surgeon.
Do you feel you could have been impacted?
If you have been affected by treatment from Mr Williamson and you want to know where you stand, we encourage you to have a no-obligation chat with us to go through how we could support you. Claims of this nature are usually funded through No Win, No Fee which means there is no financial risk to you should the claim not be successful through no fault of you own. Get in touch with our team who are dealing with this claim today and they will guide you through next steps and how we can help.
Find out if you can claimOur team of experts will support you all the way
Our Group Actions team is led by Christian Beadell and Francesca Paul. They are supported by Sion Wynne, and a dedicated team of talented medical negligence solicitors. The team forms part of a wider medical negligence department, with Peter Rigby at the helm. Our Group Actions team specialises in bringing forward collective clinical negligence claims against a single defendant, and have a track record of successfully securing compensation for our clients.
Adrian Denson
Chief Legal Officer
Peter Rigby
Managing Director of Medical Negligence
Christian Beadell
Partner, Head of Strategy and Legal Operations
Francesca Paul
Partner & Solicitor