Information following RCS General Surgery report
This page contains information relating to the invited service review report by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS).
In October 2024, we asked RCS to review General Surgery.
Concerns in two whistleblowing letters and staff feedback prompted this review.
We sought an independent assessment of the issues, service safety and areas for improvement.
What the review found
The RCS examined 17 clinical cases: eight original operations and nine complication or return-to-theatre cases.
Eight cases involved care below the expected standard.
The review found no evidence of widespread harm.
It highlighted improvements needed in:
- Recognising deterioration
- Timely return to theatre
- Surgical decision-making and escalation
- Handovers
- Consultant accountability
- Team culture
- Governance
Support for patients and relatives
For patients or family members who are concerned about General Surgery care received at The QEH or about upcoming treatment we have established a dedicated helpline:
By phone
01553 613006
Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, excluding public holidays. Messages can be left outside of these times and will be responded to.
The helpline offers a confidential route to:
- discuss concerns or questions
- receive information and reassurance
- arrange follow-up conversations where appropriate
Contact form
For those who prefer not to call or outside of these hours, a confidential contact form is available to request a call back.
(We will respond as quickly as we can)
Frequently asked questions
We’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the review into General Surgery at The QEH.
How can patients be confident General Surgery at the hospital is safe?
The service is now operating with mandated expert enhanced clinical leadership, support and oversight provided by General Surgery colleagues at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) as a move towards a shared service is explored.
(The latest audit data provides confidence of the effectiveness of their service).
Will any surgeons face disciplinary action?
We asked for this review because patient care is our top priority and we want to improve where we have evidence that standards have fallen from those we and our patients should expect. Learning and improvement is the prime focus, not blame.
There are very clear NHS guidelines designed to maintain high professional standards (MHPS) of professional care and that set out the process that must be followed where there is evidence or concern that such standards have fallen below what is expected. We will follow that process where necessary. We have also made very explicit our expectations of behaviour from all concerned and new protocols are now mandatory.
Are the surgeons still employed and operating?
Yes, within enhanced frameworks, support and clinical oversight from professional colleagues from the NNUH.
Who holds overall responsibility for what has occured?
These issues have not arisen overnight. They are deep seated and have been long lasting. They certainly predate the current managerial leadership. It is also clear that over this period, The QEH working on its own has not been able to tackle them successfully.
This situation is now changed. The QEH now benefits from unified permanent strategic leadership and oversight as part of its inclusion in the new Norfolk and Waveney Hospital Group. As shown by its response to this QEH issue, the new Group can act swiftly and supportively when its individual hospitals are struggling and need step in support. In this case that has meant swiftly deploying extra expert surgical resource from the NNUH.
Media enquiries
All media enquiries and requests should be directed to the communications team.
Telephone: 01553 613051