Safety net for patients

THE shocking crimes that breast surgeon Ian Paterson committed betrayed patients’ trust, and it’s absolutely right that questions are asked about how this happened and what will stop it happening again.

But I am afraid Dr Max Pemberton is wrong to lay the blame on the current system of revalidation as it didn’t exist when Paterson was committing his terrible acts.

His crimes took place in the years before revalidation was introduced in 2012, when doctors’ appraisals were at times woefully inadequate. He was allowed to continue practising because colleagues and managers did not raise concerns.

It took referrals by brave patients in 2010 to bring his behaviour to the attention of the GMC, whereupon we launched an investigation, suspended him from practising and referred him to the police.

Today, a Responsible Officer makes sure doctors have an annual appraisal covering NHS and private work, taking into account feedback from patients and colleagues, an analysis of any complaints and evidence demonstrating the quality of their work. A doctor can only be recommended for revalidation if there are no outstanding concerns. This new safety net should stop another doctor like Ian Paterson from harming patients in the future. CHARLIE MASSEY, General Medical Council, Manchester.