A surgeon accused of leaving five women maimed aft

A surgeon accused of leaving five women maimed after breast implant operations did not have the ‘appropriate’ experience, the GMC heard today.

Steven Walker, 44, claims to have performed only two such operations and assisted in 10 others before joining Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 1995.

But of the nine patients who went under his knife in Blackpool only three were pleased with the results, the committee has heard.

Walker is accused of leaving five woman dead and seven others maimed during his time as consultant general surgeon at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital between June 1995 and December 1998.

Giving evidence Hugh Bishop, a specialist breast surgeon, criticised Walker for his ‘light’ training and a failure to ensure his staff were properly prepared.

He also pointed out the lack of any breast implant experience mentioned both on his CV and his surgery log-book.

Mr Bishop told the hearing: ‘I do not think this was appropriate experience and I think he should have made himself more familiar with the technique before he embarked on it on his own.

‘I believe he should have asked himself in all seriousness whether he had acquired the necessary training to perform breast reconstruction.

‘When he started in Blackpool he should have sought out his plastic surgical colleagues and discussed it with them.

‘His training is rather light in doing these operations.

‘

Mr Bishop said Walker should have known four things before embarking on the procedures: which patients were suitable, how to assess patients before surgery; how to do the surgery and how to manage complications.

He added: ‘He should have persuaded a breast plastic surgeon to come to Blackpool to assist him.

‘He should have discussed this new initiative with his colleagues and ensured theatre staff understood their new role.

‘I have no evidence of these factors being fulfilled.

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The committee have already heard that breast reconstructions were not carried out at Blackpool before Walker was appointed consultant general surgeon there.

Sister Caroline Turner, the breast care nurse, told the committee last week she had never been trained to cope with this surgery.

Reviewing the case of Mrs BS, Mr Bishop criticised Walker for over-expanding the implant by 43 percent after inserting it into the 54-year-old woman.

The woman has already described how she felt ‘like a freak’ after three operations between June 1995 and February 1997.

Mr Bishop said Walker’s attempt to hold the implant in place with sticky tape was not recognised as standard procedure.

Underfire surgeon Walker faces charges covering 12 operations at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital – two for liver surgery, five for bowel surgery and five breast reconstructions.

Walker, registered as of 6-7 Park Place, Leeds, but living in Ashton-on-Ribble, Lancs, denies serious professional misconduct.

He admits most of the facts of the case as outlined against him but denies his work was incompetent or inappropriate in the circumstances of the ops.

The hearing continues.

ends

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