Patients ‘suffered under consultant despite warnings’

Coroner told NHS bosses ignored whistleblowers concerned at treatments offered by ‘maverick’

NHS bosses who ignored whistleblowers are accused of allowing a “maverick” consultant to use experimental treatments that caused patients serious harm.

A coroner is to investigate the deaths of 10 cancer patients who died after they were treated by Paul Miller between 2007 and 2013, as well as claims that hospital bosses took five years to react to concerns raised by colleagues. It was found that 27 cancer patients had suffered “serious harm” at his hands.

Yesterday, West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield opened a pre-inquest review, which heard that “systemic failures” may have led to the deaths of Frederick Le Vallois, 71; Keith Reynolds, 68; Alan Burgess, 72; Leslie Owers, 75; Ian Spurgeon, 85; Lilian Cole, 82; Jose Cressy, 76; Graham Stoten, 57; Renfried Avery, 80; and Martin Turner, 86.

Mr Miller, 62, a consultant urologist, was working at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and two private hospitals treating patients who were suffering from bladder and prostate cancer.

Mr Miller was said to have referred patients to the private Spire Gatwick Park Hospital in Surrey for treatment on a high-intensity ultrasound system in an attempt to burn away prostate cancer cells. The method is not among those recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. As early as 2008 fellow doctors and nurses blew the whistle on the consultant’s unorthodox methods and pleaded with hospital bosses to stop him. They gave reports that patients were suffering lasting damage as a result of the treatment.

However, it was five years before their concerns were acted upon. Eventually, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) suspended Mr Miller. On conclusion of a review the trust sacked him from his £125,000-ayear job in 2015. It then wrote a letter to more than 1,200 patients treated by the consultant asking if they had concerns about their care.

The Royal College of Surgeons carried out its own investigation and identified 27 cancer patients who had suffered “serious harm” under his treatment. Some were left in constant pain, while others suffered permanent impotence. Ten of these patients subsequently died.

However, Mr Miller has never been charged with a criminal offence. Neither has he been struck off by the General Medical Council, and he is allowed to work in urology under rigorous restrictions. It is understood he is working in Los Angeles and has no plans to return to practise in the UK.

An investigation by the Good Governance Institute said health chiefs should have taken action against the consultant as early as 2008. Patients told investigators the consultant was a “maverick” who pressured them to go private and undergo his experimental treatments. The report said the SASH failed to listen to whistleblowers and had therefore “missed crucial opportunities to act”.

The 10 inquests are due to start later this year.