Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Victims speak out about mastectomy surgeon jailed for 15 years (6 June 2017)

Date: 06/06/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Victims speak out about mastectomy surgeon jailed for 15 years

Surgeon Ian Stuart Paterson, who performed a series of unnecessary procedures, has been jailed for 15 years.

Paterson has been convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent, after performing biopsies and mastectomies that were later discovered to have been unnecessary. As a result, his patients have been scarred both physically and emotionally, with several people being left with life-changing consequences. Following the news of Paterson’s sentence, his victims continue to share their stories.

Lisa Lloyd underwent two milk duct removal operations in 2007 when Paterson told her she was at risk of cancer. As a result of the surgery, Lloyd was left unable to breastfeed her first child. When pregnant with her second child a few years later, a scan taken in a check-up found an irregularity in her right breast.

Paterson advised Lloyd to undergo further surgery which would have put the unborn child at risk. However, when Lloyd consulted a specialist about the irregularity, they advised waiting until after the pregnancy as it was not a definitive cancer diagnosis; after the birth the growth disappeared and a sonographer asserted it had been the result of hormones. Further, Lloyd later discovered the second milk duct removal procedure she underwent with Paterson was unnecessary.

Another victim, Gill Dallow, lost eleven pints of blood and had to be on a life-support machine for three days after Paterson cut through one of her arteries during a routine laparoscopy in 1996. Mrs Dallow said that following the negligent surgery her life changed. She explained “It’s knocked my confidence. I don’t really have any friends. I don’t go out. I had to stop work. I used to be a registered child minder at the time and had to stop because I just couldn’t cope.”

James Fernihough, a former colleague of Paterson, was told by the surgeon he needed a “sinister” lump removed. When Mr Fernihough later discovered that the lump was in fact a fatty build-up of tissue, he said of Paterson “He was using cancer as a way of making money…He took a pound of flesh off me for money.”

In addition to the unnecessary surgeries performed by Paterson, he invented his own variant of a mastectomy procedure, which he called a “cleavage-sparing mastectomy” (CSM). The procedure left women with some of their breast tissue to lessen women’s trauma over losing their breast(s), and allowing them to still have a cleavage. This procedure was an infringement of national guidelines, which assert that the aim of a mastectomy is to remove the majority of breast tissue in order to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

Another of Paterson’s victims, Christine Comerford, expressed her disappointment at Paterson’s sentence to ITV News. Comerford said: “I believe Ian Paterson should have got a life sentence. All the victims have a life sentence, and we are living with our scars every day.” The maximum possible sentence for wounding with intent is life.

Rebecca Thomas, Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis states:

“Mr Paterson’s former patients feel understandably aggrieved that he has been sentenced to 15 years given that he was convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent. Given the gross breach of trust and the deliberate nature of his actions some are of the view that the sentence is too lenient. This case highlights the fact that the current appraisal system is inadequate and needs to be reviewed and updated. Some private healthcare providers do not operate an appraisal system simply relying on the appraisals undertaken by the NHS. Spire Hospital has launched an investigation since this case came to light and other private and NHS healthcare providers must review their regulatory and appraisal practices in order to ensure such incidents never recur”.

Rebecca Thomas is a Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis. Rebecca has over 20 years’ experience in her field and represents clients in a wide range of cases including claims involving cosmetic and dental negligence, surgical and orthopaedic injuries arising from delay, misdiagnosis or negligent spinal surgery, gastrointestinal and ophthalmic surgery.

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and other medical conditions and wrongful death claims. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

If you believe a medical professional, doctor or nurse has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.