Patients of Ian Paterson Urged to Come Forward

Around 750 private patients treated by disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson will receive compensation from a new £37 million fund. Our Medical Negligence Solicitor explains more.

Paterson was found guilty in April 2017 of 17 counts of wounding with intent and was subsequently given a 20-year prison sentence.

It is estimated at this time that around 750 private patients treated by Ian Paterson will receive compensation from a new £37 million fund, of which £27.2 million will come from Spire Healthcare. The purpose of this arrangement is not only to conclude all current and known claims, but also to provide for any former patients of the surgeon who has not yet brought a claim against Spire Healthcare, Ian Paterson or Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.

This latest news will no doubt pique the interest of other former patients of Paterson’s as to whether they have also been mistreated, and could be on course to receive compensation. These patients are being urged to seek legal advice to establish whether they have been affected and what courses of action may be available to them.

Ian Paterson initially started out at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and had already been subject to an investigation in 1996; he was temporarily suspended following an operation which had “exposed the patient to a significant risk of harm”. Despite being notified, the Good Hope Hospital proceeded to employ him and thereafter, in 2003, colleagues began raising concerns over the surgeon failing to remove enough breast tissue during lumpectomies and mastectomies, resulting in the increased risk of cancer recurrence.

The first civil claim was brought in 2010. Since then a total of 256 cases have been concluded, with some claims yet to be made.

Following a series of investigations and report findings, Paterson was suspended in 2012. Thereafter, criminal charges were brought in January 2016 and he was found guilty.

No doubt there are many other patients of Ian Paterson that could be applicable for compensation. A caveat has been placed upon such claims, in which they must be brought on or before 30 October 2018. Potential Claimants must seek legal advice as soon as possible in order to have the matter properly investigated and assessed and, where a claim is viable, proceed with it accordingly within the narrow time scale permitted.

MORE INFORMATION 

Should you be a former patient of Ian Paterson and have concerns, please contact our Medical Negligence Department – our team of expert solicitors will be able to assist. Call on 01708 229444 or email us using our contact form.

This article was written by Kim Huggins, Medical Negligence Solicitors at Pinney Talfourd LLP Solicitors. The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. Specific legal advice should be taken on each individual matter. This article is based on the law as of September 2017.