Update on the Government’s response to the Independent Inquiry into the Issues raised by Paterson (23 March 2021)

Summary

In April 2017, Ian Paterson, a surgeon in the West Midlands, was convicted of wounding with intent, and imprisoned. He had harmed patients in his care. The scale of his malpractice shocked the country. There was outrage too that the healthcare system had not prevented this and kept patients safe. At the time of his trial, Paterson was described as having breached his patients’ trust and abused his power.

In December 2017, the Government commissioned an independent Inquiry to investigate Paterson’s malpractice and to make recommendations to improve patient safety. The report, outlining a series of recommendations to avoid future harm, was published in February 2020.

On 23 March 2021 Nadine Dorries, Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health, provided an update on the Government’s response to the Independent Inquiry into the Issues raised by Paterson, accessible through the link below.