‘Full extent of affected patients may not yet be known’ says Thompsons Solicitors as Paterson hearing begins

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Specialist clinical negligence law firm Thompsons Solicitors has confirmed that new cases against Mr. Paterson have emerged since he appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, charged with wounding patients on the 18 January 2016.

Mr Ian Paterson practiced as a cancer surgeon at hospitals in the Midlands owned by the Heart of England NHS Trust and Spire Healthcare, where he performed unnecessary and guideline-breaching breast operations.

Thompsons Solicitors has been representing hundreds of affected patients in civil cases since the issue came to light in 2012.

A second hearing went ahead at Birmingham Crown Court today (Monday 22 February), which Mr Paterson did not attend. He faces 21 criminal charges of unlawfully wounding patients.

Since the initial hearing, Thompsons Solicitors has seen a rise in enquiries from ex-patients who were operated on by Mr Paterson but who were previously unaware of the allegations of negligence being made against him.

Linda Millband, national lead for clinical negligence at Thompsons Solicitors said: “We have been contacted by more individuals who are concerned about the treatment they received from Mr. Paterson since details of the first hearing were published last month.

“We are particularly concerned by reports that women who had their surgery at the NHS hospital, have not been contacted following Mr. Paterson’s suspension – suggesting that the patient recalls undertaken by the trust did not reach all the people they should.”

“We have been acting for hundreds of women in civil cases, but are concerned that there may be more women out there for whom justice is not being done,” Ms. Millband continued.

“It’s important for anyone who thinks they were treated by Mr Paterson to seek independent legal advice as soon as possible –we can offer expert advice and support to anyone who has concerns about whether they have been the victim of medical negligence.”

If you think you might have been affected and want to speak to a medical negligence expert, call Thompsons Solicitors on 0800 140 4502.

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