When surgery goes wrong: what the latest NHS data tells us

Surgery is meant to help us heal, not harm us. But new data has revealed a worrying rise in serious surgical mistakes - known as “never events” - across NHS hospitals in England. These are incidents so severe and preventable that they should never happen. Yet, between April 2024 and March 2025, over 400 such events were recorded.

What are “never events”?

“Never events” include things like:

• Operating on the wrong body part

• Leaving surgical instruments inside a patient

• Performing surgery on the wrong patient

These aren’t minor slip-ups - they can have life-changing consequences. And while the NHS stresses that these events are rare, the numbers suggest a growing concern that needs urgent attention.

There are many other surgical mistakes that can cause long-term harm. Some of the most serious include:

• Injuries to organs. Organs can be accidentally punctured or burned by diathermy during surgery. This can lead to:

  • Severe infection (peritonitis)

  • Sepsis, a life-threatening immune response

  • Emergency re-operations

  • Long hospital stays and permanent damage

These injuries are often preventable with proper surgical technique and post-operative monitoring.

• Nerve damage. Surgeons must work carefully around delicate nerves. Failing to take adequate care can lead to:

  • Loss of sensation or movement

  • Chronic pain

  • Permanent disability

This is especially common in spinal and orthopaedic surgeries.

Making incorrect incisions during surgery. Incisions can be made at the wrong site or too deeply. These can have severe consequences such as:

• Damage to vital organs

• Infection and sepsis

• Chronic pain and scarring

• Need for corrective surgery 

Why is this happening?

The Royal College of Surgeons has called for a full investigation into why these mistakes are increasing. While the NHS says it investigates each incident to learn and improve, the rise in numbers suggests that more needs to be done to prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place.

“The number of surgical mistakes occurring in England remains deeply concerning,” says Lauren Green, medical negligence solicitor at Freeths. “These events should simply not happen. To reduce these incidents, hospitals must create better surgical checklists, improve team communication, and ensure robust training and supervision protocols are in place. Most importantly, there needs to be a cultural shift that prioritises patient safety above all else. Urgent action is needed to prevent avoidable harm and restore public confidence in surgical care.”

Compensation from a medical negligence claim

Compensation awarded in a medical negligence claim can play a vital role in helping individuals and families manage the long-term consequences of surgical mistakes. It can provide financial support for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and specialist care, as well as cover the cost of necessary adaptations to the home or mobility aids.

In addition, compensation can help offset lost earnings and provide for daily living expenses, ensuring that the injured party can maintain a reasonable quality of life and access the support they need to move forward.