More concerns raised on failed hip operations at Birkby hospital

Jun 30 2009 By Emma Davison

MORE people have come forward to claim their hip operations at a Huddersfield hospital have failed, leaving them in pain.

Last week the Examiner reported that patients were in agony after undergoing hip replacement surgery that failed.

Three Huddersfield women, all in their 60s, came forward after the operation at the former Nuffield Hospital, carried out by consultant surgeon Mr Emmanuel Tolessa, left them suffering from abnormal pain and discomfort.

Lawyers from national law firm Irwin Mitchell are investigating the claims and may launch a compensation claim.

Now two more patients have come forward, with more cases still expected to emerge.

Gary Walker, a clinical negligence specialist at the firm, said: "Two further people have come forward, who underwent the same operation and are experiencing the same symptoms and quite significant problems.

"This is thanks to the Examiner, because they may not have been aware that other people had been supplied with the same type of prosthesis."

The firm raised concern after the operations at the Birkby hospital, now the BMI Hospital, allegedly left the three pensioners needing their new hip joint removed.

Jill Turner, from Holmfirth, told how she was forced to manage without a hip joint for three months while she waited for it to be replaced.

Irwin Mitchell claimed that 26 NHS patients, all under the care of Mr Emmanuel, may have experienced similar problems following the procedure, where an unapproved hip joint has been used.

Now two more patients from Huddersfield have come forward, saying they have been in severe pain since their operations failed.

Mr Walker said they both had the hip replacement implants put in last year, with one patient having new joints put in both hips.