VICTIMS of convicted breast surgeon Ian Paterson who haven’t started legal proceedings can use solicitors who are already involved in the case, following a court judgement.
Spire Healthcare have made an application to the court to break a deal which was struck between 40 law firms barring the solicitors who previously acted for his victims from making any further claims against the private healthcare provider for 20 years.
Since the recall of 5,500 Paterson patients Spire Healthcare have proposed a new compensation fund and a new scheme which will allow those experienced firms to advise new potential claimants.
A hearing to confirm these arrangements will be heard by her honour Judge Whipple on Monday, July 26 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
In 2017, Paterson was jailed for 20 years after being convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding against ten patients.
The consultant breast surgeon, whose victims run into the hundreds, worked at hospitals run by the Heart of England NHS Trust (HEFT) and also practiced privately at Bupa hospitals in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, latterly run by Spire Healthcare.
Sarah-Jane Downing, the founder of the support group for Paterson’s private patients, said: “One of my concerns is that the recall from the BMI Priory hospitals has not been thorough and effective, and that there may still be people who have not been recalled by them and possibly by the NHS Trust.
“It would be super if we could put word out to let people know that any surgery by Paterson might potentially have been problematic.”
Kashmir Uppal, of Shoosmiths LLP– who has represented Paterson’s clients in seeking justice – said: “The terms of the 2017 Order restrict the new victim’s choice of solicitor, preventing them from instructing lawyers who have the necessary experience and expertise in the issues relating to these cases.
“This new scheme proposed by Spire will, hopefully, draw a line under this tragic story which has affected so many people but only if all those who have been injured by Paterson come forward now.”
