Former trust CEO and medical director cleared over surgery scandal

A major trust’s former chief executive and medical director have been cleared, after being accused of failing to protect breast patients from a rogue surgeon.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service has ruled neither Mark Goldman nor Ian Cunliffe’s fitness to practise was impaired, in a case brought by the General Medical Council. 

Mr Goldman was chief executive of the Heart of England Foundation Trust from 2001 until 2010, while Dr Cunliffe served as HEFT medical director between 2006 and 2010. Both held roles at HEFT while Ian Paterson was there.

Mr Paterson was jailed for 20 years in 2017 after being convicted of 17 offences of wounding with intent while being employed at HEFT, while a later inquiry concluded he may have conducted up to 1,000 botched and unnecessary operations over a 14-year period.

Mr Goldman and Dr Cunliffe are now pursuing the GMC for the costs of the case, which is expected to be heard over five days in January 2023.

Read full story (paywalled)

Source: HSJ, 18 October 2022