Transplant surgeon who allegedly branded initials on patients' livers charged with causing actual bodily harm

Consultant surgeon Simon Bramhall, 53, is said to have burned 'SB' onto the livers of two patients using an argon beam

Bramhall denies two counts of actual bodily harm, but was charged with burning 'SB' onto the livers of two patients during transplants (SWNS.com)

A transplant surgeon who allegedly branded his initials on a patients' livers has been charged with causing them actual bodily harm.

Consultant surgeon Simon Bramhall, 53, is charged with burning 'SB' onto the livers of two patients during transplants when he worked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, West Midlands.

During one operation on 9 February 2013 the experienced surgeon allegedly assaulted a male patient causing actual bodily harm.

The incidents are believed to have happened when Bramhall worked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, West Midlands

Four months later on 21 August 2013 a female patient had a transplant and Dr Bramhall is alleged to have caused her actual bodily harm.

Liver surgeons use an argon beam to stop livers bleeding, but can also use it to burn the surface of the liver to sketch out the area of an operation.

It is usually not harmful and the marks would normally disappear but the woman in question's liver did not heal itself in the normal manner and the initials were found in a follow-up operation, it is alleged.

Dr Bramhall of Redditch, Worcestershire, denies two counts of actual bodily harm.

He was a liver, spleen and pancreatic surgeon who worked within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's liver unit for 12 years.

He was also involved in tutoring and examining medical students and supervising postgraduate students in higher degrees, management and research.

Dr Bramhall is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court next month.