It feels like my life has been one of agonising pain since my surgery

Mum operated on by surgeon 19 years ago tells her story as doctor says he always

- HELENA VESTY

A MUM who was operated on by a Manchester surgeon claims she has been living in chronic pain for 19 years since the procedure.

Emily Bhogal is among a number of patients who claim treatment from spinal surgeon John Bradley Williamson left them with long-term consequences.

Mr Williamson worked at Salford Royal Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Spire Manchester Hospital in a decades-long career.

But reviews into his work have found that he had caused ‘severe harm’ to patients across the region, including a 17-year-old who died.

Emily is not among the patients who have been identified by reviews as having been caused harm by Mr Williamson.

But the 30-year-old mother-of-one, who was 11 when Mr Williamson treated her, claims she lives in ‘agonising pain’ and has instructed solicitors.

Emily underwent surgery performed by Mr Williamson in 2005 to have two metal rods inserted for a curvature of the spine at the former Pendlebury Children’s Hospital – now Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

However, following the surgery, Emily, who was not in pain beforehand, claims she started to suffer with back pain.

About a week after the operation, Emily collapsed and was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties.

She underwent treatment for a life- threatening haemothorax – a build-up of blood – where one-and-a-half litres was drained from her chest.

Subsequently, Emily, of Up Holland, near Wigan, continued to suffer with back pain.

Her parents took her to further consultations with Mr Williamson and other surgeons in 2006, she claims.

However, X-rays taken before her initial surgery had been lost so the other surgeons were unable to analyse her care, Emily claims. At the time her parents tried to complain about her care, but Emily says they felt ignored.