Families wait for answers as probe into care given by surgeon in Cambridge continues
Ms Kuldeep Stohr was suspended earlier this year from her role at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Families are still awaiting answers as an investigation into the care provided by a now-suspended orthopaedic surgeon continues, a law firm has said.
Ms Kuldeep Stohr, who specialises in paediatric surgery, was suspended earlier this year from her role at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
It came amid concerns about care that was "below the expected standard".
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) said in March that the care of "almost 700 patients who have undergone planned surgical procedures" would be reviewed.
It said it would also examine "an initial 100 adults and paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases to determine whether there are any concerns about the emergency treatment provided by this surgeon".
Specialist medical negligence group action lawyers at Irwin Mitchell said they have been contacted by more than 20 families with concerns about operations performed by Ms Stohr.
Tim Annett, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "While it's six months since details of Ms Stohr's practice started to emerge, there continues to be a great deal of concern about the care patients received.
"Several of our clients have told us that they were initially contacted by the Trust informing them their case would form part of the review but have since heard nothing.
"They don't know when any review may take place or when outcomes are likely to be shared with them.
"We continue to be contacted by families who have heartbreaking stories about what's happened to their child and who feel they're being kept in the dark.
"They're frustrated by the process and feel they've been left with no option but to ask us to investigate and secure answers on their behalf."
He said he appreciated the "scale of the investigation" but called on the Trust to "provide updates as quickly as it can".
Lorraine Szeremeta, chief nurse for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We communicate regularly with patients and families affected by the external clinical review.
"In our most recent update last week, we wrote to all patients and families to provide an update on the progress of the review led by (barrister) Andrew Kennedy KC.
"In late June, we started contacting patients and families whose individual cases have now been reviewed to explain the findings and discuss any further clinical checks or treatment needed.
"The independent expert clinical reviewers continue to carefully review the remaining cases, and we will contact patients and families once their individual case has been reviewed.
"We expect the completion of the entire review process to take around another 12 months.
"We know that for patients and families waiting to have cases reviewed this must be a difficult and anxious time.
"If patients or their families have concerns, questions or would like to talk to someone at the Trust we would encourage them to contact their dedicated patient and family liaison officer."