Simon Bramhall, Surgeon Who Branded Initials in Livers, Fined

Simon Bramhall, a British surgeon who branded his initials in the livers of two patients under anesthesia in 2013, has been fined 10,000 pounds ($13,700) and ordered to do 120 hours of community service for his actions. 

Bramhall’s actions came to light when one of the patients had further surgery a week later. The surgeon used an argon beam machine to burn his initials into the patient's liver, according to the BBC.  

Cell phone pictures were taken of the branding, and Bramhall later admitted to the act. He resigned from his job at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2014. 

Bramhall pleaded guilty in December to two counts of assault by beating after pleading not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Prosecutor Tony Badenoch argued one of the patients suffered ongoing psychological harm from the act and continued to feel violated, the BBC reported. 

Defense attorneys argued Bramhall’s acts were a “naïve and foolhardy” attempt on his part to relieve the tension of multiple operations, the BBC reported. 

Crown Prosecution Service Head of Special Crime Frank Ferguson said Bramhall was a very respected surgeon and that many patients owed their lives to him, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Bramhall will now face the General Medical Council to find out whether he will be permanently prevented from practicing medicine or will be allowed to resume at some point.

The hospital called the incidents a “mistake” and said there was “no impact whatsoever on the quality of his clinical outcomes,” the BBC reported. 

Some on Twitter thought Barnhall should have gone to jail, while others thought the good he did as a surgeon outweighed these incidents. 

I was appalled at first, after the initial shock I tried to imagine it happening to me, and I honestly would be ecstatic that he’d saved my life, and frankly wouldn’t mind that he’d initialled my new liver😎I’d still be very thankful to him!! Just my opinion though!

— Terry (@tel3564) January 12, 2018

Should be jailed. The court really can be relied on to not give justice. The scars could later become cancerious as with any cut or scar. He broke trust of client and professional. The court gone too far with protecting professionals. Feel sick

— Equality4all (@Equality4all3) January 12, 2018

How has our justice system failed us so much, this man had a duty of care that he abused like a child would abuse his school desk. He abused his trust and should be punished like the criminal he is. Jail him now!!!!

— miss k (@dappydoobe) January 12, 2018

Whilst he was silly, the case ,the prosecution, the fine and criminal record and poss GMC referral and sanctions is totally OTT. Should have been a 20 min verbal warning in Hospital CEO office, end of. No real damage to patients.

— Ian Hammond (@ianhammond12) January 12, 2018

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