Ian Paterson’s callous surgeries should mean big changes
2nd February, 2020
News

Written by

Michael Blakemore-Carson - Senior Litigation Executive

An investigation into the death of 23 patients should result in systemic changes, says Senior Litigation Executive. Patient Claim Line’s Michael Carson is responding to the independent inquiry into surgeon Ian Paterson’s misconduct.

Michael, who has 12 years of clinical negligence case experience, is hopeful the report will bring greater transparency into the surgeon’s practice:

Michael said:

“The report is damning and makes for shocking reading. Once more, it heavily criticises those in positions of responsibility who ought to have been alert to the horrifying actions of Ian Paterson much sooner.

“Serious concerns about Paterson’s conduct were raised almost a decade before he was eventually suspended. Consequently, around 11,000 patients went to his clinics.”

Ian Paterson the surgeon: what you need to know

  • 1997, Paterson begins working at Spire private hospital, Solihull, Birmingham
  • 1998, Appointed part of the Heart of England NHS Trust, Solihull Hospital
  • 1998-2011, Paterson had 11,000 patients across the two sites
  • 2012, the General Medical Council (GMC) arose suspicions and his practices were investigated. Lawyer Sir Ian Kennedy found in a separate independent report that concerns had been raised as
    early as 2003, however, hospital management did not follow up concerns and stop
    surgeries.
  • May 2017, Paterson jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of ‘wounding with
    intent.’ Victims include none women and one man. The sentence has since been
    increased to 20 years.

Preventing further needless and dangerous surgeries

Following the independent inquiry into Paterson’s surgeries, as many as five additional colleagues have been referred to health watchdogs.

Furthermore, inquiry Chair, the retired Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham James, described Paterson’s actions as ‘callous’ and ‘wicked’.

In response, Spire Healthcare’s Chief Executive, Justin Ash, has apologised publicly.

The health official has gone on record to highlight his sorrow for what he’s called, “significant distress” for all patients involved, adding more should have been done to challenge “Paterson’s criminal behaviour.”

Surgical victim, Debbie Douglas spearheaded the campaign for an independent inquiry alongside fellow
patient, Tracey Smith.

Speaking to the nation’s media this week, she said:

“The fight goes on until the legislation has changed.

“We don’t want somebody from the government giving us lip service and saying that lessons will be learned. It sickens me.

Patient Claim Line has a history of bringing negligent surgeries to justice, with a rich history in successfully representing claimants with cases of medical mistakes.

This is evident in the firm’s own investigation into Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust and the representation of a number of Ian Paterson’s victims.

As a result, Michael hopes all current and future victims of medical negligence know that Patient Claim Line is a firm they can trust.

“The inquiry’s recommendation to recall and assess 11,000 patients is an astonishing testimony to the extent of the damage done.

“Couple this with the investigation into all 23 deaths and it should rightly result in the systemic changes recommended by Bishop James.

“As a dedicated top 100 medical negligence and serious injury law firm, we will continue to fight for the justice so many individuals richly deserve.”

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