Dr Ian Paterson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for removing breasts from patients who did not need them.
Dr. Ian Paterson has a long history under his belt. At the age of 59, this surgeon specializing in breast cancer saw more than 1,000 patients pass under his knife. His expertise would be recognized if the story ended there. But this 1er June, the British doctor was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Many of the people he has had mastectomies on did not actually need it.
A crime worth 11 million euros
With this verdict, the British justice recognizes the suffering of 10 patients, including a man. All share the same story: the “monstrous” surgeon – in the words of Carole Johnson – removed a breast for no reason. This woman has been to the operating room six times. Only the first was justified. Some patients even had to borrow to pay for the operation.
“If he was able to continue to operate for so long, it is also because within the health system, officials but also his colleagues were suspicious but did not tell us,” commented Charlie Massey, director of the Order of Physicians of the country. The surgeon was however suspended twice, in 1996 and in 2012.
These bad practices have cost the British health system (NHS) dear. He had to pay the equivalent of 11 million euros in compensation to 250 victims. 25 are still awaiting payment.
A second civil trial
In total, more than a thousand people have been operated on by Ian Paterson. Even those whose intervention was justified did not receive proper care. Indeed, the surgeon has developed his own technique, supposed to “preserve the neckline”. Not at any cost, since it involves leaving breast tissue in place after removing the tumor.
Here too, Dr Paterson was a little messy. Of the 1,200 people operated on, 675 died. 68 suffered a recurrence. “I lost my house, my marriage, my health and my job. I have absolutely lost everything. He took everything from me, ”denounces Diane Green.
This anger is shared by many patients. And they will not be satisfied with 15 years in prison. More than 600 people have also filed a civil complaint. The trial will take place next October. This time, the plaintiffs expect more from the verdict: they hope that the establishments which let the surgeon do so will also be found responsible.
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