Neil Hopper, a 49-year-old vascular surgeon from Truro in Cornwall, has admitted two counts of fraud by false representation. He’s been sentenced to 32 months in prison as a result. Hitchin and St Albans Crown Court were told Hopper had submitted dishonest claims to insurance companies, leading to over £466,653.81 in payouts.
Hopper was employed at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals from 2013 until his suspension in March 2023. He even made up a story about losing his leg. In April 2019, he used dry ice to freeze his legs so badly that they were no longer viable and had to be amputated. He misled his former employers of Aviva and Old Mutual Health into believing that his amputation resulted from a disease process. In truth, it was a pretty severe self-inflicted wound.
The ensuing court ordeal brought to light Hopper’s lavish spending spree. He used the stolen money to lavish himself with a new campervan, hot tub, wood burner and major works on his house. At trial, it was revealed that Hopper “loved the attention” that was brought to him by the media circus that formed around his amputation.
In 2023, Hopper participated in interviews with the BBC. He starred in a documentary on the Welsh language channel S4C reflecting on his experiences and the effect of his amputation. To work toward being noticed, he sought recognition by applying for a spot within the European Space Agency. This post included a call for an astronaut with a disability, underlining his deep need for the spotlight.
In December 2023, after he was found out for all the fraud, Hopper was suspended from the medical register. This action effectively ended his medical career. In the wake of the scandal that’s now coming to light, his wife has filed for divorce as well.
Hopper’s actions have received considerable media attention. This is mostly a function of how shocking his behavior has been, which is particularly jarring given his position as a surgeon. This ongoing case raises troubling ethical issues for the medical profession. It demonstrates how anyone, including well-intentioned individuals, can abuse the power they’re granted to benefit themselves.