Image source, Martin Giles

Former patients of a surgeon who has been struck off say their lives have been ruined by his misconduct.

The number people harmed by Jeremy Parker is unknown but at least 123 are taking legal action.

Their lawyer said the scale of harm caused by his malpractice "could be huge".

Mr Parker, who left East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust in 2019, declined to comment when contacted by the BBC via the Medical Protection Society.

The NHS trust says it took immediate action and a private hospital where he worked is investigating.

Last month the Medical Practitioner's Tribunal ruled that he should be erased from the medical register.

A total of 53 allegations against him were found "proved" including dishonestly adding to the case notes of 14 patients, botching operations, not diagnosing infections, failing to consult colleagues and not obtaining patient consent.

The General Medical Council also confirmed a patient had a leg amputated below the right knee after a procedure carried out by Mr Parker went awry.

Christian Beadell from Fletchers Solicitors, which is representing former patients in a class action, said East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust (ESNEFT) had not answered questions over whether it had initiated a recall process to determine the number patients harmed.

A recall would involve identifying and contacting former patients of Mr Parker to check on their welfare.

"It's difficult to say how many patients have been injured by him," Mr Beadell said.

His firm has been contacted by 193 former patients in total, he said.

ESNEFT said it had carried out its own internal investigation but did not respond when asked if it had undertaken a recall.

The trust invited the Royal College of Surgeons to conduct what is known as an "invited re and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

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