A surgeon who carried out unnecessary breast cancer surgery has had his jail sentence increased from 15 to 20 years.
Ian Paterson, 59, performed numerous unnecessary cancer operations and was given a prison sentence at Nottingham Crown Court in May 2017, after being found guilty of wounding with intent.
The Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, presented the case at the Court of Appeal and successfully argued that the sentence was unduly lenient.
The former surgeon specialised in cancer diagnosis and treatments of breast conditions – and was considered the “go-to” specialist.
However, between 1997 and 2011, Paterson deliberately exaggerated or invented the risk of cancer to vulnerable patients – and then carried out unnecessary operations on the victims, including mastectomies.
The operations caused serious lasting physical and physiological harm to all the victims – including one patient who was unable to breastfeed her baby as a result.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:
“Throughout our lives, we are told and expected to trust doctors.
“Paterson woefully abused that trust – he deliberately prayed on people’s worst fears and then mutilated them on the operating table.
“This is a truly sickening crime and my thoughts are with the victims and their families. I hope the increased sentence will help bring some closure for them.”
Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors can advise those who have suffered injury as a result of breast cancer misdiagnosis or breast cancer surgery errors on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation –including claims involving poor care, wrong treatment, unnecessary surgery or chemotherapy, infection, or the death of a loved one as a result of negligence.
Breast cancer claims or fatal injury claims have to be made within three years of injury or the death of a loved one.
In cases where a criminal conviction is obtained against a clinician, Duncan Lewis may also be able to advise on making a no win no fee compensation claim for criminal injury.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Breast Cancer Claims, call Duncan Lewis medical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.