PROGRESS MADE IN BREAST CANCER CLAIMS

September 01, 2011

Patients of Mr Ian Paterson are starting to receive proper recognition from the NHS for what they went through following treatment received from the Midlands based breast surgeon, says Nicola Lewis, Head of Waldrons’ Clinical Negligence Department and Member of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel.

Ms Lewis last spoke in December 2010 about the treatment and care that several ladies had received from Mr Paterson, Consultant Breast Surgeon, at the Solihull Hospital in Birmingham.

Mr Paterson has recently been removed from his duties at the Solihull Hospital, although several ladies did see him at other local NHS and private hospitals.

Concerns grew after it was discovered that Mr Paterson was conducting ‘cleavage sparing’ mastectomies; leaving breast tissue behind despite speaking to ladies about them having full mastectomies following the development of breast cancer. This operation has now been classed as unsafe after Mr Paterson had taken it on himself to trial the procedure.

The NHS Trust at Solihull Hospital has now started to recognise that many of the ladies who received treatment from Mr Paterson were subject to negligent treatment and care. Offers of compensation have now been made in several matters. Full and frank letters of apology have also been sent to the ladies involved.

Ms Lewis said of the Trust’s actions: “It is reassuring to know that the Trust is accepting responsibility for what a large number of ladies went through. The letters of apology have been gratefully received by the ladies involved, although I will need to review the offers made with each lady on a case-by-case basis.

“There are, however, still a large number of ladies who are yet to seek legal advice for what they have been through. The NHS Trust have identified more than sixty ladies who were treated by Mr Paterson, although the final number may be much higher.”

With offices in Brierley Hill, Dudley, Kingswinford, Tipton, Walsall and Worcester, Waldrons are one of the few Midlands’ firms who are able to offer Legal Aid for Clinical Negligence claims. Waldrons’ specialist Clinical Negligence department deals with all types of clinical and medical negligence, and offer home appointments upon request.