Inquests opened into deaths of disgraced breast surgeon's former patients - The Coventry Observer

Inquests opened into deaths of disgraced breast surgeon's former patients

Coventry Editorial 6th Jul, 2020   0

INQUESTS will be held into the deaths of four former patients of disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson.

After preliminary investigations, HM Coroner of Birmingham and Solihull said there was reason to suspect that some patients died an unnatural death as a result of Paterson’s actions.

In 2017, Paterson was sentenced to 20 years in jail after carrying out unnecessary surgery on hundreds of patients who were left traumatised and scarred.

In January, West Midlands Police asked the Birmingham and Solihull Coroner to review 23 cases where patients previously treated by Paterson later died from breast cancer.




Inquests will now be opened in relation to four former patients of Paterson. Preliminary investigations are ongoing into the deaths of other patients, and it is anticipated that further inquests will be opened in due course.

The national practice lead for medical negligence at Thompsons Solicitors Linda Millband – who led the team which won the legal battle on behalf of 650 ex-patients of Paterson – said: “This is yet another twist in the terrible story of Ian Paterson.


“This has been a horrific tale from start to finish, and it seems as if, for the families, the nightmare is not over yet.

“It is absolutely essential that we get to the truth, so I welcome the coroner’s inquests into the deaths. My heart goes out to the families who are affected, and who now have to face yet more upheaval while they wait for answers.”

Consultant breast surgeon Paterson worked at hospitals run by the then Heart of England NHS Trust, and practised privately at Bupa hospitals in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, latterly run by Spire Healthcare.

The inquests opened today (Monday July 6). Visit http://coronerspatersoninvestigation.org for more information, or to attend via Microsoft Teams.

Higgs & Sons solicitors have been appointed to assist. Contact them at [email protected] or on 01384 327113 for more information.

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