More inquests to be held into deaths of Mr Ian Paterson’s former patients

Additional cases being reviewed

Judge Foster added that a further 21 cases had also been deemed likely to need an inquest and there were still more cases awaiting full review by a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals.

The investigative team have so far reviewed 417 cases of Paterson’s former patients where breast cancer was listed as a cause of death in part one of their death certificates. There are another 130 cases where breast cancer is included as a cause of death in part two of their death certificates whose cases are to be reviewed.

Judge Foster also said that in some cases a patient’s death certificate could not be traced, meaning their cause of death was unknown. He urged any next of kin of Paterson’s former patients to come forward stating that investigations are likely to conclude in early 2024.

Systemic failures

The inquests will assess whether Paterson’s actions or wider systemic failures contributed to the deaths. They will review documents relating to Paterson’s training and monitoring, the handling of complaints about him from patients, staff and medical bodies, and the process of how his former patients were recalled to have their cases reviewed by the NHS and Spire. Throughout the process, it has been essential to tackle the concerning notion of surgeons operating with impunity.

Paterson was found guilty of 20 offences in 2017 relating to unnecessary and unapproved procedures on more than 1,000 breast cancer patients over a period of 14 years. He is now serving a 20-year prison sentence. He worked at Spire Parkway Hospital and Spire Little Aston Hospital in the West Midlands between 1997 and 2011, as well as NHS hospitals run by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which merged with the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in 2018.

In the scope of the investigations, which originally began in 2007 after a handful of complaints, more than 11,000 patients have been recalled to check if they were victims. In 2017, 750 patients received compensation pay-outs from a £37 million fund. Now, following a  review of historic IT systems, a further 1500 Spire patients have been recalled to have their treatment reviewed.

More victims?

Rachael Flanagan, Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury at Alsters Kelley said. “We have acted for several victims of Paterson already and have plenty of experience in these cases. The latest inquests highlight the fact that there may be many more victims who have not yet had an opportunity to come forward and share their heart-breaking story. If this has affected you, or someone you know was a former patient of Mr Paterson at either Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Spire Parkway Solihull, or Spire Little Aston hospitals, please get in touch. We can help and support you in the legal process and assist you in recovering financial recompense and some much-needed closure.”

Contact us for support and advice

At Alsters Kelley, our approach is personal, sensitive, and caring. We understand you may have already suffered harm in the hands of those you put your trust in, which is why we put you at the heart of everything we do. With years of experience, we aim to minimise the impact of the claims process and secure the compensation you may be entitled to.

At any initial appointment we can support and guide you in the right direction. And thanks to our network of offices covering Coventry, Leamington, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon and Southam we are very accessible too.

If you have any concerns about the treatment either you, or a loved one, received and would like help or advice, please contact Rachael Flanagan on 01926 356030 or email rachael.flanagan@alsterskelley.com.