Families seek answers after concerns raised in Nottingham scoliosis service

According to an investigation by Health Service Journal (HSJ), the Trust has written to the families of all 130 children currently on its scoliosis surgery waiting list. Of these, 43 cases have reportedly been identified as being of “immediate concern”, including children who have faced longer waits for monitoring.

NUH has launched an internal investigation and an external clinical review. Together, they’ll examine patients’ medical records and X-rays to understand whether appropriate monitoring has taken place and whether any children need their surgery to be brought forward.

The Trust has said it doesn’t yet know whether any patients have suffered harm.

Scoliosis causes the spine to curve and twist and can develop or progress as a child grows. While the condition varies significantly in severity, careful monitoring can be important in identifying changes and determining whether further treatment or surgery is required.

NHS England’s service specification for complex spinal surgery states that children being treated for spinal deformity should have input from a consultant paediatric spinal deformity surgeon at a minimum of alternate clinic visits or on a six-monthly basis.

The concerns reported at Nottingham are therefore particularly significant because delays in monitoring can mean deterioration is not identified as quickly as it otherwise might have been.

According to HSJ, NUH became aware of potential missed appointments towards the end of 2025 and carried out an internal review earlier this year. However, most of the families affected were reportedly not contacted until September 2026, around nine months after the issue was first identified.

Francesca Paul, Partner in our group actions team, specialises in supporting patients affected by potential failings in medical care.

Commenting on the investigation, Francesca said:

“It is positive that these concerns have now been identified and that both an internal investigation and an independent external review are taking place. However, the reported length of time between the potential problems first being identified and many families being contacted is deeply concerning.

“When concerns are identified about the care of children, particularly where their condition may deteriorate without appropriate monitoring, nine months is simply too long for families to be left without this information.

“The immediate priority must be the children themselves. Every patient potentially affected needs to be reviewed promptly so that families understand their child’s current condition, whether the monitoring they received was appropriate and, most importantly, whether they now need further assessment, treatment or earlier surgery.

“We have supported patients and families affected by significant failings in spinal care before, including through our work involving former spinal surgeon John Bradley Williamson. One of the things that experience has shown us is how important timely investigation, open communication and appropriate clinical follow-up are when concerns emerge.

“At this stage, it is important not to pre-judge the outcome of these reviews. What families need now are clear answers and reassurance that their child’s care is being properly assessed. The investigations must also establish how these gaps were allowed to occur and what changes are needed to prevent the same thing happening again.”

NUH has said it has established dedicated contact arrangements for patients and families and appointed additional staff to help stabilise the scoliosis service.

Our dedicated group actions team are already helping people affected by this seek recourse. We will be there to support families who need advance and want someone to help them get answers and potential support for any issues which may arise. Families who have received correspondence from the Trust should engage with the review and make sure they understand what will happen next, including whether their child’s medical records and imaging will be reviewed and whether a further clinical appointment is required.

Parents and carers may also wish to keep copies of correspondence from the Trust and make a note of previous appointments, cancelled or delayed appointments, scans and any changes they have noticed in their child’s condition.

For families, the priority now should be getting clear information about their child’s care and making sure they receive the monitoring, treatment and support they need.

Fletchers Solicitors’ specialist medical negligence and group actions teams have extensive experience supporting patients affected by wider concerns about NHS care, including patients affected by spinal treatment.

If you have been contacted by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust about the scoliosis review and have concerns about the care your child received, our team can listen to what happened and help you understand your options. Contact us today.