Callous crooks snatch surgeon’s glasses used in life-saving heart operations

A Birmingham heart surgeon who performs life-saving heart operations is appealing for the return of his specialist operating glasses which were stolen from his car outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday (11th Sept).

Stephen Rooney’s glasses or ‘loupes’ – which are needed to perform life-saving heart surgery – is hoping the thieves will return the glasses because the theft has forced him to delay vital operations.

Mr Rooney is a consultant cardiac surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and performs life-saving heart procedures using the specialist glasses during surgery. He is desperate for the glasses to be returned so that patients can receive life-saving surgery.

The glasses are absolutely essential for carrying out painstaking, intricate heart procedures. The specialist equipment is custom-designed for Mr Rooney and are of no use to anyone else.

It was revealed that only a few companies in the world make these glasses meaning it will take around six weeks to get a replacement pair. This will lead to a delay in vital heart operations being performed by Mr Rooney.

West Midlands Police issued an appeal for the return of the glasses.

A spokesperson said: “During this time Mr Rooney will not be able to conduct any life-saving heart operations. Because of how crucial the glasses are to his work, we’re appealing for help to get them back.

“Our priority is for the glasses to be returned to the hospital, and we are appealing directly to the people who’ve taken them to do the right thing and take them back.”

The stolen operating glasses are described as having a black frame with the name ‘Stephen Rooney’ engraved in the arms.

The glasses were packed inside a black and aluminium box, also with the surgeon’s name on it, when they were taken. A folding golf cart was also stolen from the passenger footwell of the car.

Mr Rooney is hoping the glasses are returned swiftly so that he can continue to perform vital medical work.

Anyone with information is asked to West Midlands Police on Live Chat via their website or call 101 quoting log 20/1734004/21. Alternatively you can ring the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.