A police force investigating around 200 cases at a hospital trust over allegations of medical negligence has expanded its probe to include a “small number” relating to a specialist surgery.
Sussex Police are investigating cases of patient deaths and serious injury at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton between 2015 to 2021, relating to neurosurgery and general surgery.
The cases are being reviewed by specialist consultant surgeons independent of the trust that runs the hospital, the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Claims of medical negligence were made by two consultant surgeons who lost their jobs after blowing the whistle about patient safety, The Guardian previously reported.
Police began assessing allegations in 2023 and on Wednesday confirmed officers are starting to review cases relating to cardiothoracic surgery, which involves operating on heart, lungs and other chest organs.
A force spokeswoman said: “As a result of a further witness coming forward during the course of the investigation, police are now starting to review a small number of cases relating to cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
“These inquiries are at an early stage, and officers are contacting relevant patients and families directly to provide information and support while this is ongoing.”
The force added the investigation, named Operation Bramber, is likely to take “some time” to complete due to the complex nature of the inquiries.
The hospital trust is “co-operating fully” with the probe, Sussex Police said.
The BBC reported that a letter sent to some families by police, seen by the broadcaster, said that of cases assessed so far, the medical expert reviews have not revealed any evidence that would support a criminal investigation.
Katie Urch, chief medical officer at University Hospitals Sussex, said: “We continue to co-operate fully with Sussex Police and we will do everything we can to help their team to give families the clarity they need as quickly as possible.
“Safety is always our priority, and we remain absolutely committed to acting immediately on behalf of our patients, if the police investigation should ever raise any concerns about the standards of hospital services being delivered now.”
Anyone with information relating to the investigation can contact OperationBramber@sussex.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Bramber.
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