350 patients to sue hospital which let Paterson operate
HUNDREDS of Ian Paterson’s private patients are seeking compensation over the devastation wreaked by his crimes.
It has been revealed that around 350 patients who underwent treatment privately at clinics owned by Spire Healthcare in the West Midlands are taking civil action against him and the firm.
Thompsons Solicitors, representing the patients, said the company’s treatment of those who complained was “shabby”.
“We are determined to secure appropriate compensation for every single one of our clients, some of whom found the courage to come forward only as recently as four weeks ago,” said Linda Millband, lead national lawyer at the firm.
“Spire needs to face up to
its responsibilities, because they let him operate well after he was suspended by the NHS.” Ms Millband said the “dangerous regulatory loophole” allowed Paterson to continue practising privately despite the ban. The firm said: “Thompsons argue that the devastation wreaked by Mr Paterson was compounded by the Spire Group’s shabby treatment of their former patients when they came forward to complain. “In response, the firm is launching an investigative campaign – Patients Before Profits – to explore how to close loopholes and drive private health providers to ‘level up’ to ensure private patients are guaranteed the same level and speed of response as those being treated on the NHS.” Thompsons confirmed it was “pursuing civil cases for around 350 patients who undertook treatment privately at Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston”. In response, a Spire Healthcare spokesman said: “What Mr Paterson did in our hospitals, in other private hospitals and in the NHS, absolutely should not have happened and justice has been done. We would like to reiterate how truly sorry we are for the distress experienced by any patients affected by this case. “We can say unequivocally that we have learned the lessons from these events. “We commissioned a thorough independent investigation and have fully implemented all of the recommendations.”