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NHS trust under scrutiny over claims of unnecessary breast operations NHS trust under scrutiny over claims of unnecessary breast operations
(about 1 hour later)
Breast care services in Solihull are to undergo a major independent investigation following allegations that a surgeon who worked for the NHS may have performed unnecessary or inappropriate breast operations.Breast care services in Solihull are to undergo a major independent investigation following allegations that a surgeon who worked for the NHS may have performed unnecessary or inappropriate breast operations.
Sir Ian Kennedy, a lawyer and health expert, will chair the review into how hospital chiefs handled concerns about Ian Stuart Paterson, a breast cancer specialist who worked at NHS and private hospitals in the Midlands from 1994 until last year.Sir Ian Kennedy, a lawyer and health expert, will chair the review into how hospital chiefs handled concerns about Ian Stuart Paterson, a breast cancer specialist who worked at NHS and private hospitals in the Midlands from 1994 until last year.
Paterson is under investigation by West Midlands police over allegations he performed unconventional or unnecessary operations and made claims to medical insurers for unnecessary surgeries or surgeries he did not perform.Paterson is under investigation by West Midlands police over allegations he performed unconventional or unnecessary operations and made claims to medical insurers for unnecessary surgeries or surgeries he did not perform.
Kennedy, who chairs the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) that monitors MPs' expenses, started the review on Wednesday, the Heart of England NHS foundation trust announced. It will examine how health chiefs handled concerns "raised by staff, patients and the public" in relation to incomplete mastectomies carried out by Paterson, and ask if bosses tackled these concerns and "in a timely manner".Kennedy, who chairs the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) that monitors MPs' expenses, started the review on Wednesday, the Heart of England NHS foundation trust announced. It will examine how health chiefs handled concerns "raised by staff, patients and the public" in relation to incomplete mastectomies carried out by Paterson, and ask if bosses tackled these concerns and "in a timely manner".
The NHS trust said Paterson had not carried out any surgery at Solihull since May 2011, and that he was suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC) in October last year. The trust last year wrote to all the women its records said had been operated on by Paterson, asking them to get in touch for review. Dozens of the women are suing the trust and private healthcare provider Spire Healthcare.The NHS trust said Paterson had not carried out any surgery at Solihull since May 2011, and that he was suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC) in October last year. The trust last year wrote to all the women its records said had been operated on by Paterson, asking them to get in touch for review. Dozens of the women are suing the trust and private healthcare provider Spire Healthcare.
Thompsons, the solicitors representing almost 100 of the affected patients, said the surgeon also allegedly performed unconventional "cleavage-sparing" mastectomies on 700 women, despite the procedure not being sanctioned in the UK as it could allow a return of the cancer. The trust stopped Paterson from using the surgical technique in 2007. Up to 450 women could have had invasive breast surgery when a biopsy might have been sufficient, it is alleged. Thompsons, the solicitors representing more than 200 of the affected patients, said the surgeon also allegedly performed unconventional "cleavage-sparing" mastectomies on 700 women, despite the procedure not being sanctioned in the UK as it could allow a return of the cancer. The trust stopped Paterson from using the surgical technique in 2007. Up to 450 women could have had invasive breast surgery when a biopsy might have been sufficient, it is alleged.
Dr Aresh Anwar, Solihull hospital's medical director, said the trust had focused in the last 12 months on contacting all of the women potentially affected and reviewing their care. "Now that this is completed we have, as promised, asked an experienced independent chair to look at the actions this organisation took, to see if there are lessons to be learned about how to raise concerns into clinical practice and how to take appropriate action," he said.Dr Aresh Anwar, Solihull hospital's medical director, said the trust had focused in the last 12 months on contacting all of the women potentially affected and reviewing their care. "Now that this is completed we have, as promised, asked an experienced independent chair to look at the actions this organisation took, to see if there are lessons to be learned about how to raise concerns into clinical practice and how to take appropriate action," he said.
A full report with recommendations is expected to be completed by the summer.A full report with recommendations is expected to be completed by the summer.
Lord Philip Hunt, the trust's chairman, said the trust understood patients' concern about the allegations. "The board fully recognises the concerns expressed by patients about the length of time taken to complete the clinical investigation and to take action," he said.Lord Philip Hunt, the trust's chairman, said the trust understood patients' concern about the allegations. "The board fully recognises the concerns expressed by patients about the length of time taken to complete the clinical investigation and to take action," he said.
"It therefore wants a fully open, independently conducted review to determine whether there are lessons to be learned about how the organisation responded to the situation as it evolved, and how it might improve its response to concerns if they are raised in the future. We hope this review may also assist the wider NHS when facing concerns about individual practitioners.""It therefore wants a fully open, independently conducted review to determine whether there are lessons to be learned about how the organisation responded to the situation as it evolved, and how it might improve its response to concerns if they are raised in the future. We hope this review may also assist the wider NHS when facing concerns about individual practitioners."
A spokesman for West Midlands police confirmed its investigations were continuing. The Medical Defence Union, representing Paterson, said: "He is fully co-operating with the GMC investigation. He cannot comment further because of patient confidentiality and the ongoing investigation."A spokesman for West Midlands police confirmed its investigations were continuing. The Medical Defence Union, representing Paterson, said: "He is fully co-operating with the GMC investigation. He cannot comment further because of patient confidentiality and the ongoing investigation."