An actress who underwent a string of operations to fix problems with her spine says it is "worse now than before" as the surgeon who carried out the procedures is under investigation. BBC actress Ruth Madeley, 36, has spoken out about the chronic pain she has been left with after multiple operations carried out by the now former consultant spinal surgeon, John Bradley Williamson.
Ms Madeley, who has appeared in the Russell T Davies sci-fi series Years and Years and drama Then Barbara Met Alan, was diagnosed with spina bifida as a baby and was first operated on by Williamson, now 65, in 1997, when she was 11, the Manchester Evening News reports. One surgery turned into nine throughout her teenage years, all of which were to "fix something that went wrong", she said.
An inquiry has now been launched into the former Salford Royal Hospital consultant spinal surgeon and his treatment of a number of his patients. The Sunday Times has reported Mr Williamson was fired from the Trust in early 2015 following inappropriate behaviour towards a member of staff.
Mr Williamson admitted his "personal actions were inappropriate" and a number of his former patients have now been recalled for assessment by surgeons at the Northern Care Alliance Trust, which runs the hospital. Those former patients include Ms Madeley, from Bolton.
The actress told the Sunday Times she has been left with chronic pain and a "twisted body" after nine operations to treat her scoliosis. Rods that had been inserted to straighten her spine "snapped three times", it has been alleged, and she developed a number of repeat infections, including sepsis "after being sent home from hospital with an open wound in 2012".
Ruth and her mother, Jacquie Madeley, believe the trust has not been honest about her treatment. Ruth said: “Instead of one surgery it turned into nine throughout my teenage years and young adulthood. None of my operations were elective, they were all to fix something that went wrong.
“I have been left with chronic pain and fatigue and my spine is worse now than before I had my first surgery. It is not straight at all, my organs are all on one side and my pelvis is nearly touching my rib but we have been told it is too dangerous to open me up again.
“As a disabled person, I’m always going to need the NHS and to have that trust broken is a hard thing to navigate. That’s been the hardest thing, the complete lack of trust in people who are meant to be caring for me.”
In response to the claims, Mr Williamson told the Manchester Evening News: “I have always strived to provide the very best care for patients. Due to patient confidentiality, I am unable to comment on specific patient care, but I can confirm that an independent review of several cases by the Royal College of Surgeons was carried out in 2016, not long after I had retired from the NHS, and concluded that there were no overall concerns about my standard of care.
“I will of course cooperate with any future investigations into patient care. In relation to the issue about my approach to patient assessments, I can confirm that this allegation was investigated in 2014 by the trust, and they confirmed that my approach was appropriate.
“I was dismissed from my position with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust due to my personal conduct. I accept that my personal actions were inappropriate and I deeply regret these lapses in my judgement.”
The Northern Care Alliance declined to address the specific claims made by Ms Madeley about Mr Williamson when questioned by the M.E.N . The trust did, however, confirm that a number of patients have been asked back for appointments to review their treatment.
Dr Owen Williams, Chief Executive at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (which runs Salford Royal), said: “A spinal patient safety look back review was initiated to investigate patient safety concerns raised in respect of a Consultant Spinal surgeon who previously worked at Salford Royal.
“This review is underway and we have invited some patients who have previously had spinal surgery back in for an appointment to review their treatment. Our priority remains to support our patients and their families.”
On the Northern Care Alliance's website, there is a page entitled 'Spinal Patient Safety Look Back Review – Information for patients'. The text reads: "We are aware that coverage in one of the national newspapers (Sunday Times) about a current Patient Safety Look Back Review at Salford Royal may have concerned some patients.
"We reassure patients that this review only involves some patients who received spinal surgery performed by this Consultant Surgeon. This surgeon has not worked at the Trust since 2015.
"Patients should be assured that if concerns are identified with their care or treatment then they will be contacted by our organisation.
"A patient might then be asked to attend for a clinic appointment with one of our consultant spinal surgeons. This might be to discuss medical history, previous spinal surgery, progress since spinal surgery (even if this was some time ago) and current condition. This will help to determine if anything further needs to take place.
"We are sorry for any distress or concern that patients may have experienced and we hope this information provides patients with some reassurance. We emphasise that any patient where concerns are identified with their previous spinal surgery or treatment – they will be contacted by the Trust.
"However, any patient who still has concerns is welcome to call 0161 206 5117 where your query will be listened to and responded to."
