Important: Spire Washington Hospital is contacting former patients of Mr Leslie Irwin. If you have not yet been contacted and had surgery with Mr Irwin,speak to our medical negligence team today.
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE UPDATE — 2026
Dozens of patients treated at Spire Washington Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital have been recalled following serious concerns about unnecessary and harmful orthopaedic surgery.
NJS Law’s medical negligence team is here to help you understand your rights
22+
Years practising at Spire Washington
50+
Patients potentially affected
2023
Suspended by Spire Healthcare
£0
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What Has Happened?
A growing number of patients who received orthopaedic surgery from consultant surgeon Leslie Irwin are now coming forward with serious concerns about the treatment they received. Mr Irwin practised at Spire Washington Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital (South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust) between 2001 and 2023, specialising in hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder and upper limb surgery.
Investigations by Spire Healthcare — and media reporting by ITV Tyne Tees, the Sunderland Echo and others — have revealed that some patients underwent operations that were clinically unnecessary, carried out to a poor technical standard, and left them with lasting pain, reduced mobility and a significantly reduced quality of life.
A Timeline of Events
2001 – 2022
Mr Irwin works as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (Sunderland Royal Hospital) and Spire Washington Hospital.
May 2022
Mr Irwin retires from NHS practice at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
August 2023
Spire Healthcare suspends Mr Irwin from practising at all its hospitals.
September 2024
Spire Healthcare formally withdraws Mr Irwin’s practising privileges across all its sites.
May 2025
Mr Irwin relinquishes his registration with the General Medical Council (GMC). He is no longer a registered doctor.
Summer 2025
Spire Healthcare launches a review of specific procedures under NHS England’s National Quality Board Recall Framework, contacting a select cohort of former patients.
October 2025
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects Spire Washington Hospital in response to rising concerns. The CQC publishes its inspection reports on its page for Spire Washington Hospital.
January – March 2026
ITV Tyne Tees, the Sunderland Echo and national legal publications report that more than 50 patients are potentially affected. Legal firms across the North East begin taking on cases.
The Scale of the Concern
While the full extent of Mr Irwin’s alleged misconduct is still being assessed, early indications are deeply troubling. It is understood that more than 50 patients may have been affected. Some patients underwent operations across multiple body areas — including hand, wrist, hip and shoulder surgery — sometimes spread across decades of care.
Legal sources have noted patterns consistent with systematic over-treatment: repeat surgeries that had no clinical indication, procedures outside Mr Irwin’s core speciality, and outcomes that left patients significantly worse off than before they sought help.
Important: Time Limits Apply
In England, medical negligence claims must generally be brought within three years of the date you first became aware — or reasonably ought to have become aware — that you suffered harm. Many former patients of Mr Irwin are only now discovering that their treatment was substandard. Do not delay in seeking legal advice.
Who May Have Been Affected?
You may have a potential claim if you received surgery from Mr Leslie Irwin and experienced any of the following:
- Surgery that you were later told was unnecessary or lacked clinical justification
- Ongoing pain, reduced function or deterioration following your procedure
- Repeat operations on the same joint or area that did not improve — or worsened — your condition
- Contact from Spire Washington Hospital asking for your feedback or informing you of a review
- Operations carried out on areas outside the scope of your original referral (e.g. hip or shoulder surgery from a hand specialist)
- A procedure carried out to an apparently poor technical standard, such as misplaced fixings or implants
Surgeries of concern include — but are not limited to — operations on the hand, wrist, fingers, elbow, shoulder and hip. Both NHS-referred patients and those treated privately are potentially included.
Can I Still Make a Claim?
Yes. Although Mr Irwin has surrendered his GMC registration and is no longer practising, civil medical negligence claims can still be pursued against Spire Healthcare as the employing hospital, and against South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust for any NHS-funded treatment.
The fact that Spire Healthcare has already issued formal apologies to some patients and acknowledged poor standards of care strengthens the foundation upon which many claims will be built. Spire’s own review under the NHS England National Quality Board Recall Framework is an acknowledgement that serious concerns exist.
Importantly, because many patients are only now learning that their surgeries were substandard, the legal “clock” for limitation purposes may not have started until recently — meaning claims that might otherwise appear time-barred could still be viable. Specialist legal advice is essential.
What Compensation Could I Receive?
Compensation in medical negligence cases typically reflects the full impact of the harm caused, including:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- The cost of corrective surgery or further treatment
- Loss of earnings if you have been unable to work
- Care costs, adaptations and equipment
- Psychological harm, including anxiety and loss of trust
- Travel and other out-of-pocket expenses
Each case is unique, and the value of a claim will depend on the severity of the harm suffered, the treatment required and the long-term prognosis. Our specialist solicitors at NJS Law will provide a clear and honest assessment from the outset.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Leslie Irwin and where did he work?
Leslie Irwin was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hand and wrist surgery. He worked at Sunderland Royal Hospital (South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust) and Spire Washington Hospital in Washington, Tyne and Wear, between 2001 and 2022/2023. He gave up his GMC registration in May 2025.
I haven't been contacted by Spire — does that mean I'm not affected?
Not necessarily. Spire’s review is described as covering a “select cohort” of patients, and it is not yet clear how comprehensive the recall process is. If you had surgery with Mr Irwin and have concerns, you should seek independent legal advice regardless of whether Spire has been in touch.
How long will a claim take?
Medical negligence claims involving multiple experts and institutional defendants can take time to resolve. However, the fact that Spire has already acknowledged concerns about Mr Irwin’s practice may assist in the process. Your solicitor will be able to provide a realistic timeframe once they understand the facts of your case.
What does No Win No Fee mean?
If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above. NJS Law will explain all the terms clearly before you proceed.
I had NHS treatment — can I still claim?
Yes. Many patients were referred to Mr Irwin via the NHS. Claims can be made against the NHS Trust responsible for the referral and treatment, in addition to or instead of Spire Healthcare. Both routes are open to affected patients.
Don’t Wait — Get Advice Today
Time limits apply to medical negligence claims.
If you have any concerns about treatment you received from Mr Leslie Irwin, contact NJS Law’s medical negligence solicitors now for a free, confidential consultation.
Thinking about a claim? Read about Medical Negligence Claims and how No Win No Fee works, or send us your enquiry.