Police are now looking into more than 200 cases where people may have suffered death or serious injury resulting from criminal medical negligence at a Brighton hospital, according to the BBC.
It has previously been reported that 105 cases were under investigation, with many of those affected – or their families – turning to lawyers to represent them.
The claims came to light when two consultant surgeons turned whistleblower, saying that they had lost their jobs for trying to raise concerns about patient safety at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
The hospital is now run by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust which was created in April 2021 from two trusts including Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals which was in “special measures”.
The latest figure of more than 200 cases emerged today (Tuesday 7 January) in BBC Radio 4’s File on 4 Investigates.
The BBC said: “A police investigation into allegations of preventable deaths and injuries at an NHS trust has doubled the number of cases it is looking at.
“The claims centre on care and treatment provided by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust between 2015 and 2021.
“Sussex Police started looking in 2023 into an initial 105 cases but BBC File On 4 Investigates has learned that number is now more than 200.
“Police became involved after two whistleblowers raised allegations of medical negligence at two of the trust’s departments – neurosurgery and general surgery, including concerns about at least 40 deaths.
“The increase in cases is linked to more families having contacted the police.”
Sussex Police said: “The Sussex Police investigation into allegations of medical negligence at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is ongoing.
“The scope of the investigation – relating to neurosurgery and general surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton between 2015 and 2021 – remains unchanged.
“A dedicated team of officers are progressing inquiries and engaging with involved patients and families to provide information and support while this is ongoing.
“Individual cases have also started to be reviewed by specialist consultant surgeons, commissioned to provide expert medical opinion.
“The consultants are totally independent of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and have undergone a nationally accepted vetting process.
“The medical experts will report on their findings and their evaluation will be considered alongside information obtained from our police inquiries to determine whether cases will be taken forward in the investigation and, if so, which ones.
