John Bradley Williamson Claims

In January 2025, a group of MPs led by Jo Platt (Leigh and Atherton) called for justice for affected patients in the House of Commons. Ms Platt asked the Prime Minister to ensure that patients and the patient support group could meet with the relevant health minister to press for a wider recall and a thorough review of all those affected. The Prime Minister committed to arranging that meeting at the earliest opportunity.

In March 2026, NHS England published the findings of its lookback review into the care provided by Mr Williamson. An NHS-commissioned report concluded that his actions were ‘unacceptable and unjustifiable’ and directly contributed to the death of one patient. The report found that Mr Williamson continued with surgery despite being explicitly told he needed a second consultant present.

Christian Beadell, Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence at Fletchers, commented: ‘Our clients are seeking clear answers, accountability, and reassurance that lessons have been learned. It is vital that this report provides a transparent account of what went wrong, an honest assessment of the impact on patients, and clear recommendations to ensure similar issues cannot arise in the future. Our clients have shown considerable patience. They now deserve honesty, accountability, and justice.’

We are carefully reviewing the report and will be guided by our clients on any further steps. We continue to urge NHS England and the Northern Care Alliance to engage openly with patients and to provide appropriate support to all those affected.

Independent reviews have raised serious concerns about Mr Williamson’s surgical practice. These include operations carried out with unsafe technique, misplaced spinal screws, and procedures performed without adequate imaging or planning. Investigators also found failures in consent, meaning some patients were not properly informed about the risks or alternatives.

As a result, many patients experienced avoidable pain, loss of mobility, nerve damage, and in some cases required further surgery to correct what had gone wrong. These findings suggest patterns of care that fell far below accepted clinical standards, and the group action aims to investigate whether your outcome was affected.

A group action brings together people who have been harmed in similar circumstances so their claims can be investigated and progressed in a coordinated way. You still have your own individual claim, but evidence and expert findings are shared where appropriate. This makes the process more efficient and can strengthen the overall case, while ensuring your personal experience and losses remain central.

The Northern Care Alliance Trust’s review has so far covered only a five-year period of Mr Williamson’s time at Salford Royal, examining around 130 patients. However, Mr Williamson worked at the trust from 1996 to 2015 – meaning the majority of his patients fall outside the current scope of the review.

By contrast, Spire Hospital has announced a full recall of all patients who underwent certain spinal procedures with Mr Williamson. We have consistently called for all hospitals where he worked to carry out an equally thorough recall, and we fully support the campaign by the patient support group and MPs to widen the review. If you have concerns about your treatment and have not been contacted as part of the recall, please get in touch – you may still have options.

When you contact our team, we will start with a free case assessment. We will listen to what happened, understand what you would like to achieve, and let you know honestly whether we believe you have a valid claim.

If we identify a legitimate claim, we will begin an investigation. In a group action, some parts of this process work differently to an individual claim – there are elements we can progress collectively, which can create efficiencies for everyone involved. We will need to gather evidence, identify who is responsible, and assess the impact of your injuries.

We will apply to the Court to register the case and, where needed, seek a Group Litigation Order. We will then negotiate with the defendants to seek a favourable settlement. Once a decision or agreement is reached, we will arrange for compensation to be paid to you.

We will help you gather the evidence needed to support your claim. This typically includes your medical records, details of your treatment and the complications you experienced, and any correspondence you have received from the hospital or as part of the recall process. You do not need to have everything ready before you contact us – we can guide you through what is needed step by step.

Yes. Being reviewed as part of the hospital recall does not prevent you from pursuing a legal claim. In fact, findings from the recall may support your case. If the review identified failings in your treatment, or if you received a letter acknowledging concerns, this can form part of the evidence we use on your behalf. Please get in touch and we will assess your situation.

Possibly. The standard time limit for a medical negligence claim is three years from the date you knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that you suffered harm as a result of negligent treatment. For many patients of Mr Williamson, that date may be relatively recent – for example, when they received a recall letter or when the hospital’s findings were communicated to them. Time limits in these cases can be complex, so we encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible and we will advise you honestly on your position.

Yes. An independent patient support group has been set up by those affected by Mr Williamson’s treatment. The group aims to support one another, share information, and work together to seek the truth. You can contact the group by email at [email protected], or connect via their X (Twitter) or Facebook Group pages.

No Win No Fee means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay our legal fees. It allows you to pursue a claim without financial risk. We will explain exactly how this works before you commit to anything, so you can make a fully informed decision.

We have been asked to comment in the national press regarding this, here are some of the links;

Salford spinal surgeon caused severe harm to patients – BBC News

Surgeon damaged dozens of patients by misplacing screws in their backs – The Times  

Calls for “full patient recall” in ongoing Salford surgeon investigation –Salford Now