70 MORE VICTIMS OF BEAST MEDIC
‘Butcher’ breast surgeon could face new trial
AT least 70 new victims of evil surgeon Ian Paterson have come forward – and the butcher could face a fresh prosecution.
Dozens have launched claims after a new £22million fund was set up to compensate patients.
Paterson, 62, was jailed for 20 years in 2017 for wounding nine women and a man in the West Midlands from 1997 to 2011.
But he had more than 11,000 patients – and one top lawyer said he could face new charges as more cases come to light.
Linda Millband, head of clinical negligence at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “We’ve had people call who had forgotten they were treated by Paterson. We’ve had people who have said their families were treated by him and since died.
“They are wondering if their relatives died necessarily or not. There are inquests going on to determine that now.”
The Glaswegian breast surgeon carried out hundreds of unnecessary and bungled ops at Solihull’s NHS hospital and Spire private hospital. Mrs
Millband said the youngest woman she represented was 18.
Another received a sixfigure compensation package after Paterson carried out an unnecessary double mastectomy that meant she lost her job and home.
And a woman with dementia won a payout but never fully realised she had secured justice. But Paterson could be freed in 2027, said Ms Millband. “That is causing our clients great distress,” she said. “Especially when people are only now finding out he has mistreated them.”
West Midlands Police, looking into the deaths of 23 patients, would not comment while investigations are ongoing.
Spire said the £22million fund “covers all costs associated with contacting former patients of Paterson last year and providing ongoing support to them”. A spokesman said: “Spire Healthcare has taken the initiative to collaborate in setting up the new fund.”