Clent orthopaedic surgeon investigated for 'keeping bones of 5,000 patients'

Derek McMinn, the inventor of a pioneering hip resurfacing technique used on tennis star Sir Andy Murray, was suspended from Edgbaston Hospital in Birmingham where he carried out most of the surgeries.

Dr McMinn allegedly kept the bones of at least 5,224 patients he operated on at the private hospital, the Independent reported, according to a leaked report by BMI Healthcare - which runs the hospital.

The Independent reported Dr McMinn allegedly collected and stored body parts from patients over 25 years, breaching the Human Tissue Act, which prohibits the removing, storing or using of human tissue without appropriate consent.

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He is also accused of keeping some of the bones at his farmhouse in Calcot Hill, Clent. The matter has been referred to West Mercia Police by by the Human Tissue Authority.

Circle Health Group, which acquired BMI Healthcare in June this year, said the hospital is now under new leadership and that it was taking the issues "incredibly seriously".

A spokesman said: "We will leave no stone unturned in investigating these historic issues.

"They have all been reported to the appropriate authorities and we will co-operate closely with regulators to resolve them."

Circle Health Group said Dr McMinn was immediately suspended and "recommendations and learnings have been made to staff".

The Care Quality Commission was first made aware of the issue in July last year, and the matter was reported to the Health Tissue Authority and General Medical Council the following month.

Investigations have continued over the past year, with the matter also referred to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) - which subsequently took no further action.

A spokesperson for the Human Tissue Authority said: "Following an investigation after concerns were raised at the BMI The Edgbaston Hospital, we made a referral to the police.

"We cannot comment further on the police investigation."

There was no sign of Dr McMinn at his Clent home yesterday. A neighbour said the surgeon "keeps himself to himself" and that he was surprised to hear of the allegations.

According to his online profile on The McMinn Centre website, which is also based in Birmingham, Dr McMinn has performed more than 3,500 hip resurfacings and over 6,000 total hip replacements for patients "including several high profile athletes".

He graduated from St Thomas' Hospital in London in 1977 where he won the Cheselden medal and first prize in surgery.

"Surgeons come from around the world to observe and train with Mr McMinn in Birmingham", the website states.

Dr McMinn is also a director of JointMedica, a Kingswinford-based company that describes itself as an orthopaedic design and development think tank.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "We are currently investigating an allegation of Breach of Statutory Licensing requirements under the Human Tissue Act 2004 following a referral from the Human Tissue Authority. Our investigation relates to a private premises in Worcestershire.

"We are working with the relevant authorities as part of our ongoing investigation."