Did He Save Lives?: A Surgeon's Story

by David Sellu

David Sellu was a surgeon with a distinguished record extending over forty years.

In 2010, a patient died under his care in a private hospital. There followed a sequence of extraordinary events that led to David being prosecuted and convicted for the patient's death and sent to prison. His licence to practise medicine was suspended, his career cut short. Events that took place later showed that this was an unfair trial with tinges of racism, and he won an appeal against his conviction and is now a free man. But the damage had already been done.

This book tells his extraordinary story for the first time, in his own words.

Genres: Medicine, Nonfiction, Medical

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2019

Reviews

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend recommended this 2 days ago and I finished it this morning. I won’t rehash what it’s about. The summary tells you that.
I’m very glad I’ve read it, but I wanted much more from it once it got going. As a fellow doctor (though not a surgeon) I really wanted to understand more clearly how this case was halted at inquest, passed to the CPS and then ultimately tried as a criminal case at the Old Bailey. I felt the book needed more greater detail around the case itself. It seemed to rush over this. I can completely understand how it may have felt very surreal for the Mr Sellu, but as these facts are a matter of record, I’m very surprised the editors didn’t see how thin this part of the book felt.
There is however, an over abundance of details about the time spent in jail. Now admittedly I am more aware than most of how prison systems operate as I live with a prison officer, but I didn’t feel such extensive detail on regimes and routines added much.
Given what an enormous miscarriage of justice this case has been, how horrendously traumatic it clearly was I really wanted to understand how the conviction eventually got overturned but it felt glossed over in the epilogue and there was so much room to go into this.
A good book, an important story though and should have been a great book but I think the editor probably should have seen that.

[Iain Snelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extraordinary story of a miscarriage of justice in the Gross Negligence Manslaughter case. David Sellu maintains a descriptive detachment throughout most of the book which is a strength, but also perhaps a weakness - there is a limited sense of how the awful circumstances were experienced, from the unfortunate death of Mr Hughes to his release and resumption of his surgical career. There was a lot of detail in prison life which might have come from any observer.

Perhaps this wasn’t the book for it, but there is no sense of analysis about what went wrong. The case went to court on the basis of a Coroner’s decision, and although there were brief asides in the book about errors and mistakes in the process, and on the final page a brief consideration of whether al this would have happened if he had been white, it would have been nice to have had a little more depth in the story of the case itself.

David Sellu received no apology or compensation for the effect on home and his family and career. There have since been reviews of the use of Gross Negligence Manslaughter law and changes may be made. He has written here an honest account which betrays no bitterness.

[SHAZIA KALSOOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A miscarriage of justice for a dedicated surgeon diligently doing a difficult job

Reading David Sellu's story, should send shivers down any practicing medics spine. There but for the grace of god go many in both NHS and private practice.
Here is a dedicated, caring surgeon highly commended by colleagues many of whom pay him the ultimate complement by entrusting their lives to his surgical abilities. Caught as a victim of circumstance trying to save a life and suffering as consequence of a hospital looking for a scapegoat and withholding vital information leading to his referral to a police investigation and subsequent criminal trial at The Old Bailey.
It's a harrowing and emotional retelling of his mistreatment by "the system", the use of experts and jurys at trial who aren't qualified to give judgements and verdicts on cases of such complexity especially when vital information is deliberately withheld.
A stark reminder how medical practice currently in the UK has become a vulnerable place for clinicians and patients when those practicing medicine in the patients best interests are facing such criminal charges.
Dr Sellu thank you for having the bravery to tell your story and share this clearly traumatic experience.

[Lisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gripped by David Sellu’s story- could not put this book down. As well as reading about the injustice and unlucky circumstances leading to Mr Sellu’s incarceration, we are also given a good insight into the harsh conditions of prison- shocking conditions for 21st century UK. Mr Sellu is admirable for having survived it and written this book- and above all for being so much above all those who failed to prevent this miscarriage of justice.

[Vikas Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult time an family support

Only family support in difficult time apart from god. There are lot good people in world but there are lot crafty people, need to be aware.
40 yrs of hard work and helping people did not help when some one needed most. So sad.

Every doctor especially surgeon need to read this book. Public need to read this book to learn, the stress of doctor as any one patient can put doctor risk of manslaughter charges.

[Tracey- Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

this has been a read that i won't forget.
what happened to David Sellu is rather heartbreaking.
his original court case was mismanaged and he got put into jail , but thankfully cleared later.
it not only affected his life but his family's too .
my heart went out to David for what he went through and experienced . i'm glad he got cleared .

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving a deeply personal account

I was aware of this surgeon’s case and actually worked with him for a brief period before this incident. He was always a very kind, polite, professional man. This very personal account of a complete travesty of justice is very moving. What fortitude to turn an awful experience into a very thoughtful and measured account of his experience.

[Ciara H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad tale of injustice. A document of Dr Sellu's experience of abandonment by the medical council, the poor structures in the courts, complex cases presented to non-medical juries, and finally, the cruel and dehumanising prison system.
Interesting and easy to read.

[David Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nightmare for this poor man. I have never fully understood why if a patient is going to die because of their underlying condition and a doctor tries to prevent it but they still die, how can that be manslaughter?

[Vino Loganathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Jenny McAteer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad things happen to good people

What a tragic waste of a talented and experienced surgeon. Interesting read and tinged with sadness so much injustice. Wrong

[Azmi Omara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking story

I followed Mr.Sellu case closely, however hearing this story the way it’s written in the book. Gives a totally different dimension y to o my perception

[Lisa Kyriacou Faulks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, it was nice to read that David was exonerated, although the summary on the back gave it away. I would have liked to have heard more about Mr Hughes family and their opinions.

[Sue Southcoat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Really good read

Very interesting and lays bare a travesty of the system that condemns so easily. I would recommend this book to anyone

[DR S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grim but compelling read.
Definite racist undertones in the “trial” and conviction.
Really admire David Sellu. Many would have been broken in the same circumstances.

[Soo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable what happened to this kind and decent man.

[TANSY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting could have been better written.