Norwich surgeon given warning over life-changing accidents

A Norfolk surgeon who left two sufferers with life-changing accidents has obtained a proper warning by a disciplinary panel.

Camilo Valero Valdivieso was discovered responsible of “serious misconduct” by an impartial medical panel after two operations went flawed in six days.

One of his sufferers, Paul Tooth, 65, mentioned his life was “a constant struggle” since his operation in January 2020.

However, the panel discovered the surgeon had “learned from these events”.

Mr Valero will proceed to practise on the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and has 28 days to enchantment the end result.

He has been contacted for remark.

The findings from the Medical Practitioners Service (MPTS) panel mentioned that his actions had “risked damaging public confidence in the profession”.

It heard that he twice “misinterpreted the anatomy” – on one event severing a affected person’s gallbladder.

The panel additionally concluded Mr Valero’s health to practise was not at present impaired, permitting him to proceed working.

During Mr Tooth’s surgical procedure in January 2020, a tube carrying bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small gut was eliminated inappropriately, the panel heard.

It was informed the surgeon additionally failed to hunt help from one other skilled guide.

Mr Tooth, a former RAF Engineer, has needed to endure additional surgical procedure and dwell with a tube linked to his liver for 16 months.

Speaking after the end result, he mentioned: “The whole thing has left me utterly devastated and I’m really worried about what the future holds.

“Today’s resolution is simply step one in my looking for accountability from all these concerned in permitting me and others to be irreparably harmed by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.”

He is calling for future investigations at the NNUH to be more transparent and said he wanted answers over why these cases were not escalated more quickly.

A second patient, Lucy Wilson, 35, said she lives with a range of long-term issues following a gallbladder operation carried out by Mr Valero.

She mentioned she was “past damaged” by the tribunal resolution.

Mother-of-two Ms Wilson mentioned: “We could as properly haven’t come ahead.

“The operation has ruined my life and I’m practically housebound now, unable to enjoy the family days out we used to have.”

The panel discovered Mr Valero’s conduct “fell far short of the standards expected from a doctor” and that he had “put patients at unwarranted risk of harm”.

However, it mentioned, the coaching and supervision he had obtained since meant it was “highly unlikely” he would put sufferers in danger sooner or later.

The panel additionally heard proof he was “a valued member of the surgical team” and was “respected and well-regarded”.

In a press release, Erika Denton, the hospital’s medical director, mentioned she accepted the choice and apologised to the 2 sufferers who skilled severe accidents and issues.

She added: “We fully investigated the incidents at the time and commissioned the Royal College of Surgeons (RSC) to review what happened, which resulted in a number of changes to strengthen our surgery processes.

“Mr Valero has expressed his profound sorrow and apologises for the errors that occurred throughout these two laparoscopic cholecystectomies.”

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