Major inquiry into crimes of breast surgeon

THE government has announced plans for an independent inquiry into disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson, who was found guilty of 17 counts of wounding patients with intent in April and jailed for 20 years.

The inquiry, which will be chaired by the Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, will also examine broader lessons that can be learned about private healthcare.

Paterson who was a consultant breast surgeon at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and Solihull and Little Aston Spire Hospitals, intentionally wounded his patients by exaggerating or inventing cancer risks.

He would then claim payments for unnecessary procedures.

The inquiry into Paterson’s malpractice will be widened to make sure safeguards are in place to protect private patients.

This includes whether any further action is needed to strengthen the Care Quality Commission’s inspection re-gime in relation to the private sector.

It follows a meeting between Health Minister Philip Dunne and victims and their families.

Mr Dunne said: “Ian Paterson’s malpractice sent shockwaves across the health system due to the seriousness and extent of his crimes, and I am determined to make sure lessons are learnt from this so that it never happens again in the independent sector or the NHS.”