Tony Dixon: Suspended Bristol surgeon harmed hundreds of women

A surgeon was suspended the same day that a hospital investigation found that hundreds of cases of damage had occurred.

A court ruled that Tony Dixon, who used artificial mesh to treat bowel prolapse at Southmead Hospital in Bristol and the Spire Hospital, continued to pose a risk.

The hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service ended on Thursday with the conclusion that a six-month suspension was “appropriate”.

Spire Healthcare has now published its investigation into Mr Dixon, finding 259 cases of harm caused, and health chiefs have offered a “sincere apology”.

The greatest harm occurred in three main areas: inadequate examination of patients before surgery, inadequate provision of alternative treatment options, and lack of patient consent because the risks and benefits of the procedure were not adequately discussed.

The court found that Mr Dixon’s fitness to practice his profession was impaired and that his suspension would give him time to “develop further knowledge and remedy his misconduct”.

The General Medical Council brought charges against Tony Dixon, who denies all allegations and insists that the procedures were carried out in good faith.

His suspension begins immediately.

The decision followed BBC investigations and a review by Southmead Hospital which found that more than 200 patients were harmed after Mr Dixon performed unnecessary operations on them.

Two years ago, an audit by Southmead Hospital found that 203 mesh operations performed on Mr Dixon were deemed unnecessary and he should have been offered non-surgical treatments instead.

To treat bowel problems, Mr Dixon used a technique known as mesh rectopexy.

This procedure involves inserting mesh implants into the body to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence in women – both conditions that can occur after childbirth.

The mesh, which is usually made of synthetic polypropylene, is intended to repair damaged or weakened tissue.

In a report, the court stated: “This suspension would also serve the public interest in this case by declaring and maintaining appropriate standards of conduct for the profession and sending a signal to Mr Dixon, the profession as a whole and the public about conduct considered unworthy of a licensed physician.”

“The court considered that a longer suspension would constitute an inappropriate punishment, particularly having regard to the time during which Mr Dixon had already been undergoing fitness to practise.”

The MPTS added that Mr Dixon’s case would be reviewed shortly before the end of the suspension so that “he has fully remedied his misconduct and developed his insights and there is no risk of repetition of the misconduct”.

The court ruled that there was a risk of recurrence because Mr Dixon’s insights were “evolving and his remedial actions were incomplete”.

“Mr Dixon’s misconduct was so serious that action had to be taken to protect the public,” the report said.

The bosses of Spire Healthcare have since apologised to patients.

A spokesman said: “We would like to reassure patients that we have significantly strengthened our procedures for monitoring consultants’ practice and outcomes.

“Promptly addressing all concerns is our highest priority and we are committed to continuously monitoring learning progress in everything we do.”

If new cases come to light, further patient examinations will be carried out, the spokesman added.

Southmead Hospital, run by North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), also apologised.

Tim Whittlestone, Chief Medical Officer at NBT, said: “Mr Dixon was discharged in 2019. We have conducted a thorough and thorough review of the patients involved and would like to apologise again to all of those individuals.”