Health officials are recalling a further 1,500 patients of the jailed breast surgeon Ian Paterson, more than two decades after he treated them, following the discovery of an old IT database.
Paterson was jailed for 20 years in 2017 for 17 counts of wounding people with intent, after he subjected more than 1,000 patients to unnecessary and damaging operations over 14 years. The scandal has been described as one of the most horrific in NHS history, with a culture of avoidance and denial allowing him to continue practising.
Spire Healthcare, which runs private hospitals where Paterson worked, said it had uncovered the patients' details on legacy IT systems that were thought to be inaccessible. The company will now contact these patients and offer them a review of their treatment and support.
Dr Cathy Cale, Spire's group medical director, apologised for the distress and harm caused. Linda Millband of Thompsons Solicitors, which represents many of Paterson's clients, criticised Spire for missing patients in previous recalls and questioned what other oversights might exist.
