AROUND 1,500 more patients of convicted breast surgeon Ian Paterson are being recalled.
Spire Healthcare said it has discovered details on an old IT system in use between 1993 and the early 2000s which had been thought to be inaccessible.
Paterson is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence after being convicted in 2017 of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding against ten patients.
The consultant breast surgeon, whose victims run into hundreds, worked at hospitals run by the Heart of England NHS Trust (HEFT) and also practised privately at Bupa hospitals in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, latterly run by Spire Healthcare.
In 2020 Spire Healthcare contacted all 5,500 identifiable patients and reviewed their care following the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Paterson.
The new cohort of patients being contacted by Spire Healthcare will be offered a review of the treatment they received by Paterson more than 20 years ago.
Dr Cathy Cale, Spire Healthcare’s group medical director, said: “Over the past couple of years, we’ve been absolutely committed to identifying, tracking down and contacting all living patients of Ian Paterson regardless of when they were treated.
“We are very sorry for the significant distress and harm suffered by patients who were treated by Ian Paterson.
“We accepted the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Paterson in 2020 and are fully committed to implementing them.
“Although we cannot put right the wrongs of the past, we are determined to do everything we can to support the victims of Ian Paterson including those he treated before Spire was in existence. That is why we are taking this action.”
Linda Millband, head of clinical negligence at Thompsons Solicitors, which has represented hundreds, of Ian Paterson clients in legal claims, said: “For patients who have suffered from his negligence and for those who have lost loved ones this recall will bring back bitter memories.
“For those being alerted for the first time there will be shock and worry. This spluttering approach from Spire is neither professional nor fair. It is clear people have been missed and we will be urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Ian Paterson, at any time, to come forward whether contacted or not so we can ensure they get the maximum compensation – and we hope see an end to this shocking scandal.”
Anyone concerned about treatment they received with Ian Paterson can call Spire Healthcare on 0800 085 8130, or visit the website for more information.
