Concerns are mounting regarding the practices of consultant surgeon Leslie Irwin, following his placement on a “recall” list by Spire Healthcare. The firm has invited former patients to return for consultations and reviews of their care, raising alarms among those who received treatment from Mr. Irwin.
Irwin, who served as a consultant surgeon for the NHS at Sunderland Royal Hospital and the private Spire Washington Hospital, retired from the NHS in 2022. He was subsequently suspended by Spire Healthcare in 2024, and last month, his name appeared publicly on Spire’s website as part of a patient recall initiative. This move has prompted several former patients to seek legal guidance regarding their experiences.
Legal representation is now being provided by Slater and Gordon, a law firm that is offering free consultations at a clinic located at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland on February 19, 2025. John Lowther, a specialist clinical negligence solicitor at the firm, indicated that they are acting for “dozens” of former patients, expressing the necessity for patients to understand the issues surrounding their care.
“There are clearly great concerns over the fact that so many former patients of Mr. Irwin have come forward,” Lowther stated. “By holding this legal clinic, we want to help people access the legal advice they need to understand their position and determine what next steps may be.”
The General Medical Council confirmed that Mr. Irwin deregistered himself from their registry in 2025, which restricts any investigation into his practice by that body. Speaking to the media, Mr. Irwin’s wife defended him against the allegations, describing them as “a total, complete lie.” She emphasized the damaging impact these claims have had on his career, stating, “It is 40 years of someone’s career which has been smashed by innuendo on social media.”
A spokesperson for Spire Healthcare reiterated their commitment to reviewing the procedures provided to a select group of patients treated by Mr. Irwin. They are in direct communication with those patients to assess their care and provide necessary support. The review is being conducted in accordance with the NHS England’s National Quality Board: Recall Framework, which Spire Healthcare helped to develop.
Additionally, a representative from the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust confirmed their collaboration with Spire to understand the scope of the patient recall. They are assessing which patients may require further review and will contact them directly.
As this situation unfolds, many patients are left seeking clarity and assurance regarding their past treatments under Mr. Irwin. The upcoming legal clinic aims to address these concerns and provide necessary support to those affected.
