NHS DOC TOOK MY HEALTHY LUNG
Dad says op was botched because surgeon refused to wait for tests
A dad’s healthy lung was wrongly removed by an NHS doctor in a botched operation, it has been claimed.
Disgraced surgeon Mohammed Asif has been accused of carrying out the procedure on Brian Connolly without waiting for test results.
A dad has claimed his healthy lung was wrongly removed by an NHS doctor in an astonishing botched operation.
Brian Connolly, 55, has accused disgraced surgeon Mohammed Asif of carrying out the procedure without waiting for crucial test results.
Kitchen fitter Brian – who has been left unable to work and with serious breathing difficulties – was later told in a post- op consultation that no cancer had been found in the organ.
The dad of two has now lodged an official complaint about his treatment in the hospital at the hands of the specialist, who he claims needlessly removed his entire left lung.
His agony has been made worse by the fact that Asif was twice allowed to keep his job despite committing sexually motivated offences against women at t the Golden Jubilee e Hospital in Clydebank, k, West Dunbartonshire. e.
He said: “Before the he operation, I specifically lly asked Mr Asif if he had ad viewed the results off a second bronchoscopy, py, which I’d been told would uld conf irm whether the growth in my lung was cancer or whether it was a benign tumour.
“He said he didn’t needed to see it, that he knew I had cancer just from lookingng at the scans. He told me it would be a keyhole procedurere just to remove the lower part of the lung.
“When I woke up afterfter the operation, I’d been completely cut open, my rib cage was broken and my entire lung had been taken out.
“Mr Asif didn’t turn up for the post-operation consultation and another doctor informed me that there had been no cancer after all – it had been a benign tumour.
“I was thunderstruck. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – I could barely take it in.in I feel completely let down. I asked about getting a transplant, getting my lung back, but the doctor sent me away.
“I can’t work any more and my health has been destroyed. I don’t know if my other lung, which has had problems, is going to see me through.
“These people seem to think they operate on a level where no questionsques can be asked but I’m asking questions and I wantwan answers.
“AfterA finding out about the sexual harassment allegations,all I just think it’s unbelievable this guy is still in a hospital doing operations.op Anyone else wouldw have been sacked.” Brian, of Dalmarnock, Glasgow,Glasgow came into contact with Asif after being sent to the Golden Jubilee following scans at the city’s Royal Infirmary. He added: “It all began when I started coughing up blood at the end of April. My doctor said I had pneumonia and I went straight to the Royal for a blood test and X-ray.
“I was told there was something in the lower part of my left lung. “I took antibiotics and stopped coughing up blood, then went for another X-ray and was told the left lung had faded slightly but there could be a problem with the top of the right lung.
“I was then sent for a number of scans and a bronchoscopy, which allows the doctor to look inside the lungs and take specimens.
“I was told it looked like cancer but I’d need to go for a second bronchoscopy to be positive, which I did on July 29.”
It was at this point Brian received an appointment letter from the Golden Jubilee to meet Asif on July 31.
He added: “He told me he’d use keyhole surgery and remove the bottom part of the left lung and said this would leave three small holes and perhaps a 3in scar.
“I asked him to look at the bronchoscopy result but he said they didn’t tell him anything and that the scan showed cancer so it had to come out.
“When I told him there was a second bronchoscopy, he looked at his screen and said it wasn’t through yet but that it didn’t matter as it was cancer.
“Both my mother and sister were in the office with me when this conversation took place.”
Brian was booked in for surgery on August 20, at which point his entire left lung was removed.
The Sunday Mail revealed earlier this year how Asif was allowed to stay in his job despite two sexually motivated offences.
One of the cases was in 2013, when Scotland’s Health Secretary Jeane Freeman was the most senior member of the Golden Jubilee’s board. It related to an
incident involving a female colleague while he was visiting Cross house Hospital in Kilmarnock.
The woman did not complain about his behaviour but employees who allegedly witnessed it raised the issue with management.
The 50-year-old was suspended from the Golden Jubilee as a result but allowed to return within eight weeks.
Freeman has denied any involvement in action taken against the surgeon.
In 2017 – after Freeman had left the Golden Jubilee – Asif was again accused of inappropriate conduct with a medical rep over allegations he reduced her to tears by inviting her into his office and producing a bottle of champagne. He was originally investigated by police over the incident but prosecutors dropped the action.
An official warning was issued by the General Medical Council but the watchdog decided against a full hearing and Asif returned to work again.
Ac ensure will appear before his name on the watchdog’s register for five years and will be kept on record for future employers to see on request.
Labour’s shadow health secretary Monica Lennon said: “It’s always upsetting to hear when a patient feels let down by the NHS.
“Mr Connolly has raised some very serious issues and these must be addressed.
“If things go wrong, health boards must be open and transparent with patients and their families.”
The Golden Jubilee said: “We received a complaint f rom a patient on Thursday, December 5, 2019, about their treatment.
“We immediately begancommunications with the patient to examine the issues raised. The surgeon has also offered to meet the pat ient directly to discuss their treatment and care.
“This process is ongoing and our lines of communication remain open to the patient should he wish to discuss this further at any time.
“NHS Golden Jubilee has robust processes in place to ensure the safety of all of our patients and to look into any concerns raised about treatment and care.
“Following clinical review and assessment, our specialists agree the appropriate course of treatment in collaboration with the patient.”
The Scottish Government said: “We fully expect all health boards to have robust processes in place ensuring the safety of patients and address any concerns raised about treatment and care.”
I can’t work any more and my health has been destroyed