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
Years practising at Spire Washington
Patients potentially affected
Suspended by Spire Healthcare
Upfront cost — No Win, No Fee
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.
“I thought he was saving us. I thought the man could walk on water.”
— David Render, patient of Leslie Irwin, speaking to ITV Tyne Tees, February 2026
One patient, David Render from Washington, underwent a series of operations on his hands, wrists and elbows over four years. An independent review by Spire concluded that his first procedure had caused thermal damage to his wrist, that a second procedure had no clinical justification, and that screws placed in his fingers were poorly positioned. He now lives with constant pain and is unable to pursue hobbies he once loved.
Mr Irwin works as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (Sunderland Royal Hospital) and Spire Washington Hospital.
Mr Irwin retires from NHS practice at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
Spire Healthcare suspends Mr Irwin from practising at all its hospitals.
Spire Healthcare formally withdraws Mr Irwin’s practising privileges across all its sites.
Mr Irwin relinquishes his registration with the General Medical Council (GMC). He is no longer a registered doctor.
Spire Healthcare launches a review of specific procedures under NHS England’s National Quality Board Recall Framework, contacting a select cohort of former patients.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects Spire Washington Hospital in response to rising concerns. Its report is expected imminently.
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.
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.
Mr Irwin’s name has been placed on a recall list alongside four other surgeons whose patients have been recalled nationally — a list that includes disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson, currently serving a 20-year custodial sentence.
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.
You may have a potential claim if you received surgery from Mr Leslie Irwin and experienced any of the following:
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.
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.
Compensation in medical negligence cases typically reflects the full impact of the harm caused, including:
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.
Not sure if your claim qualifies?
Get a free, no-obligation assessment today.
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.
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.
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.
The success fee is capped by law on your general damages and past financial losses under It means there is no financial risk to you. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If it succeeds, a percentage of your compensation will cover legal fees. NJS Law will explain all the terms clearly before you proceed.
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.
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.
If you or a loved one received treatment from Mr Leslie Irwin, speak to our specialist medical negligence team today — completely free and with no obligation.
