A surgeon at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton used a Swiss army knife to perform a lifesaving procedure on a patient in cardiac arrest as he claimed he couldn’t find a sterile scalpel. The incident took place in December 2023, and despite the patient surviving, internal documents reveal that colleagues found the surgeon’s actions “questionable.” The NHS trust overseeing the hospital, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed the patient needed immediate care after going into cardiac arrest before an emergency operation.
Professor Catherine Urch, the trust’s chief medical officer, acknowledged that the surgical team’s actions were outside normal procedures and should not have been necessary. The surgeon reported the incident, and a thorough review was conducted to learn from the situation. The patient was informed as part of the duty of candour, and changes were swiftly implemented following the incident.
Sussex Police are currently investigating allegations of medical negligence at the trust, spanning from 2015 to 2021, primarily in neurosurgery and general surgery at the hospital in Brighton. A specialist team is supporting patients and families affected by the ongoing investigation, with the trust fully cooperating with the authorities.
Nisha Sharma, principal lawyer at Slater and Gordon, representing patients and families in cases of poor care standards at the hospital, described the surgeon’s use of a penknife as “absolutely appalling.” Concerns have been raised about the practices at Royal Sussex, with Sharma highlighting the shock and worry in the community about the quality of care at the hospital.
The investigation comes amidst increasing scrutiny of medical practices at the hospital raising concerns within the Brighton community. Patients and families are urged to stay informed as the investigation unfolds.