Inquiry to ask: Who let surgeon maim 1,000 women?
Pledge to ‘learn lessons’ after Scot jailed over botched ops
VICTIMS of a disgraced surgeon who maimed hundreds of women in botched breast cancer operations have welcomed an inquiry into the scandal.
It will aim to determine why Glasgow-born Ian Paterson was allowed to keep practising and ensure that ‘lessons are learnt’.
Paterson, 59, carried out botched and unneeded surgeries in NHS and private hospitals for 15 years.
He was jailed for 15 years in May for ‘wounding with intent’ over operations on ten patients. This was increased to 20 years in August.
But lawyers believe he maimed more than 1,000 people – NHS and private patients – and was accused of ‘playing God’ by convincing them to have unnecessary surgeries.
The launch of the inquiry is a victory for the Mail, which exposed
‘Red flags were raised’
the series of blunders by the NHS and private sector which allowed Paterson to keep working.
Mother-of-one Tracey Smith, who was operated on by Paterson in 2010, said she wanted the ‘dysfunctional system’ scrutinised, adding: ‘We’re happy we seem to be finally getting somewhere after five years.
‘We’ve kept on the fight also for the ladies that didn’t make it past treatment by Paterson, and their families, to get answers as to why he was allowed to continue after red flags were raised.’
Paterson worked at hospitals run by the Heart of England Foundation Trust in Birmingham and private hospitals in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield between 1998 and 2012.
He was suspended by professional regulator the General Medical Council in 2012 and struck off in July this year.
The inquiry will be independent from the Department of Health and overseen by the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham James.
He will decide which of the many staff who allowed Paterson to slip through the net must be called to give evidence. The hearings will be behind closed doors and the findings are expected to be published in the summer of 2019.
Minister of State for Health Philip Dunne said: ‘Ian Paterson’s malpractice sent shockwaves across the health system due to the seriousness and extent of his crimes.
‘I am determined to make sure lessons are learnt from this so it never happens again in the independent sector or NHS.
‘An independent, non-statutory inquiry... is the right way forward to ensure all aspects of this case are brought to light.’
But some victims claim the inquiry is a ‘cop out’ and want a full public hearing, with staff who turned a blind eye called to give evidence.
Barbara Lewis, 63, said: ‘I am very, very disappointed... it is a complete joke.’ Mrs Lewis, from Birmingham, underwent a ‘cleavage-sparing’ mastectomy, which leaves some tissue for cosmetic reasons but raises the chance of a tumour returning.
Several women died after their cancer returned and spread, though there is no proof this was a direct result of the surgery. Mrs Lewis’s cancer spread and is now terminal. The Trust paid her compensation in 2014.
She said: ‘All those who were complicit and protected him are just getting away with it.’
The Right Rev James said: ‘The actions of Ian Paterson and the grievous harm he inflicted on patients are deeply concerning and they have given rise to some serious questions which remain unanswered.
‘It is vital that the inquiry be informed by the concerns of former patients.’