A police investigation into medical negligence at a hospital trust has been expanded.
Operation Bramber was launched in 2023 to look into patient deaths and serious injury at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Independent specialist consultant surgeons are currently reviewing cases relating to neurosurgery and general surgery at the hospital between 2015 and 2021.
Sussex Police has now confirmed the force is starting to review “a small number of cases relating to cardiothoracic surgery”, which involves operating on heart, lungs and other chest organs, at the Royal Sussex after further witnesses came forward.
The enquiries are at an early stage, a spokeswoman for the force said.
“Officers are contacting relevant patients and families directly to provide information and support while this is ongoing,” the force said.
“Sussex Police is committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation.
“Due to the complex nature of the enquiries, this is likely to take some time to complete.
“We are continuing to work closely with partner agencies, and the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is co-operating fully with our investigation.
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“If you have any concerns or information relating to the investigation, please contact OperationBramber@sussex.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Bramber.”
Charlotte Smart, 40, previously called for surgeons under investigation to be suspended while enquiries are ongoing after her mother, Sarah, was left paralysed following an operation.
“My main concern is how the surgeons are still allowed to be operating, considering they’re being investigated by Sussex Police,” she said.
“In 2021 I first raised concerns.
“We were told that what happened to my mum had never happened to anyone else.
“This is a public safety matter.”