Newcastle, England — A troubling investigation into the practices of heart surgeon Karen Booth has revealed a pattern of clinical errors and poor decision-making that are linked to the deaths of seven patients. Despite serious concerns raised by her colleagues, Booth remains employed by the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she currently mentors other surgeons and is expected to resume her surgical practice soon.
Concerns about Booth’s surgical performance first surfaced in 2018, yet the hospital did not initiate a formal inquiry until 2021—years later. Internal reports highlighted a toxic work culture within the cardiac unit, where poor governance and a reluctance among senior staff to address safety issues contributed to repeated failures. The General Medical Council (GMC) is now investigating Booth’s practice, but no restrictions have been placed on her ability to operate.
Families of patients affected by her surgical decisions have expressed outrage, calling for accountability and demanding a comprehensive review of Booth’s cases. One grieving family, whose loved one died in 2021 after a surgery led by Booth, stated that she “should never practice as a surgeon again.” Their plea reflects a broader discontent among families who feel that the hospital’s oversight mechanisms failed them tragically.
An in-depth investigation into Booth’s work assessed 22 of her surgeries, uncovering a series of troubling findings. These included performing complex operations without adequate skill and failing to seek assistance when necessary. One of Booth’s notable failures involved a case where she attempted a rare cardiac procedure intended for younger patients on a 54-year-old man. When complications arose, she opted for a less suitable intervention, sparking significant concern over her clinical judgment.
Subsequent investigations indicated Booth had consistently exhibited a lack of awareness regarding her limitations as a surgeon and failed to engage with more senior colleagues, which is critical in high-risk cases. In stark contrast, internal emails reveal that her fellow surgeons had been attempting to raise alarms about her performance since 2018.
After a series of patient deaths linked to her actions, a detailed report commissioned by the hospital documented a workplace culture characterized by bullying and a lack of open communication, factors that likely allowed Booth’s troubling practices to persist unchallenged for years.
Families affected by Booth’s surgeries are advocating for an external investigation into her practices, emphasizing the potential for discovering additional cases of patient harm. “We need a thorough review,” said a family spokesperson, underscoring the urgency for transparency and accountability.
As Booth prepares to return to surgery, the hospital has stated that they are weighing the recommendations from various reviews and prioritizing patient safety. Still, skepticism remains among her colleagues and the families impacted by her work. Concerns persist about whether Booth’s reinstatement could jeopardize patient safety, given the history of failures in her practice.
The ongoing situation raises significant questions about oversight in medical practices and highlights the responsibility hospitals have in ensuring the competency and safety of their surgical staff. Families of victims believe that without thorough investigations, other patients may be at risk as systemic issues remain unaddressed.