Report into surgeon Rob Jones reveals a 'catalogue of failures' 28 February 2013 Last updated at 15:00 A surgeon was allowed to continue practising despite concerns over his ability due to a "catalogue of failures over many years," a report has found. Royal Cornwall Hospital (RCH) surgeon Rob Jones had been the subject of eight reviews and repeated complaints during his 12 year clinical practice. A review of obstetrics and gynaecology patients treated by Mr Jones found 52 suffered complications, and a further 57 were recalled for assessment. Mr Jones was suspended last May. The five reports cited failings including "poor communication" and "inadequate handover between successive managers." The surgeon's "powers of persuasion" were also cited as a reason why no action was taken against him. Lezli Boswell, chief executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) said there had been "leadership instability" at the trust. "The governance systems here weren't as responsive as they are today and perhaps culturally, when people did speak out they didn't get the satisfactory response that we would expect today," she said. Medical director Paul Upton said he was only able to take "definitive action" when specific cases were put in front of him. "People saying that they were a bit concerned but without any evidence isn't enough for a medical director to actually act," he said. A review of current services, triggered by concerns over the surgeon's work, has found potentially unsafe staff levels in the obstetrics department at Cornwall's district general hospital. The trust said it would implement all the recommendations in the various reports in order to rebuild trust.