North East surgeon Leslie Irwin surgeries under review

Spire Washington Hospital has confirmed it is contacting a cohort of former patients and reviewing specific operations performed by Mr Irwin, following concerns raised with healthcare watchdogs.

Leslie Irwin (Image: CONTRIBUTED)

One woman, who underwent dozens of procedures at Mr Irwin’s hands over 20 years, described being “absolutely shocked and gutted” after being contacted by the hospital and told her surgeries were now under review.

“I genuinely believed I was in completely safe hands,” said the 63-year-old North East patient.

Spire Hospital in Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)

“When Spire first contacted me, I thought they were about to tell me something had happened to him personally. What I later discovered has been utterly devastating.”

The woman is now being supported by legal firm Slater and Gordon, which says it is acting for several patients who have come forward with concerns about Mr Irwin’s work.

What can patients do now?

Spire Washington Hospital has said it is reviewing specific procedures carried out by Mr Irwin and is directly contacting all patients it believes may be affected.

However, the hospital is also urging any former patients with concerns who have not yet been contacted to come forward.

Patients can:

• Contact Spire Washington Hospital directly by calling 0191 720 3031 or emailing spirepne@spirehealthcare.com
• Report concerns to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which inspects and regulates healthcare services. The CQC can be contacted via enquiries@cqc.org.uk or on 03000 616161.
• Seek independent legal advice if they have worries about the care they received. Slater and Gordon is supporting several former patients and will be holding an online legal clinic on Tuesday, January 20. Further information is available via dominic.smith@slatergordon.uk

The Care Quality Commission confirmed that it inspected Spire Washington Hospital on October 14 last year, following concerns about the quality of care being provided. Its findings will be published in due course, following quality assurance processes.

Spire said its review is being conducted under NHS England’s National Quality Board Recall Framework, which is designed to support patients when potential concerns about past treatment are identified.

Sunderland Royal Hospital (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)

A Spire spokesperson said: “We are in direct contact with all relevant patients to review their care and offer support.”

Mr Irwin, who worked at Spire Washington Hospital and for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust since 1999, retired from NHS practice in 2022 and relinquished his registration with the General Medical Council in May 2025.

The NHS Trust has confirmed it is not currently recalling patients, but is considering information shared by Spire.

Jodie Cook, a specialist lawyer at Slater and Gordon, said the situation has been “deeply distressing” for those affected.

“For many of our clients, Spire’s review has raised serious questions about procedures carried out over an unknown time period,” she said.

“We would urge anyone who has been under the care of Mr Irwin and has concerns to get in touch as a matter of urgency.”

The Northern Echo has attempted to contact Mr Irwin for comment but received no response within the timeframe given.