Welsh Surgeon Faces Fraud Charges Over Leg Amputation Claims

A Welsh vascular surgeon, Neil Hopper, has been accused of committing fraud regarding the circumstances surrounding the loss of his legs. The 49-year-old, previously based in Aberystwyth and now residing in Truro, Cornwall, faces two counts of fraud by false representation and a charge of encouraging another person to perform grievous bodily harm.

During a recent hearing at Cornwall Magistrates’ Court in Bodmin, Mr. Hopper was charged with dishonestly claiming to insurers that his leg injuries were the result of sepsis rather than being self-inflicted. These alleged fraudulent activities took place between June 3 and June 26, 2019.

In addition to the fraud charges, it is also alleged that between August 21, 2018, and December 4, 2020, Hopper purchased videos from a website known as The EunuchMaker. These videos reportedly encouraged an individual named Marius Gustavson to remove body parts from other people.

Hopper has not been employed at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust since March 2023, following his initial arrest. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service subsequently imposed restrictions on his medical practice while the General Medical Council conducted an investigation. As of December 2023, he has been suspended from the medical register.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police stated that the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has been cooperating closely with the police throughout the investigation. A representative from the hospital trust emphasized that the charges against Mr. Hopper do not pertain to his professional conduct and indicated that there is no evidence of risk to patients.

Mr. Hopper began his tenure at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals in 2013. Former patients with inquiries regarding their treatment can reach out to the hospital’s Patient Experience team for assistance.

Following the court proceedings, magistrates remanded Hopper into custody and scheduled his next appearance for August 26, 2023, at Truro Crown Court.

The case highlights significant concerns regarding the integrity within the medical field, particularly in light of the serious allegations facing a surgeon who previously performed numerous amputation operations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for both Mr. Hopper and the healthcare community will continue to be closely monitored.