Stafford NHS bosses confident over patient safety in wake of Ian Paterson case
Hospital bosses say processes in place to stop any potential “rogue doctor” causing harm to patients in north Staffordshire in the wake of an inquiry into the actions of Ian Paterson.
The surgeon, who was employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust was found to have carried out inappropriate or unnecessary procedures and operations on patients.
He was jailed for 15 years in 2017 after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding – and later ordered to serve another five years in custody.
An independent inquiry has now described what happened as “the story of a healthcare system which proved itself dysfunctional at almost every level when it came to keeping patients safe, and where those who were the victims of Paterson’s malpractice were let down time and time again.”
The report was published the day before University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust’s monthly board meeting, where the findings sparked questions about the ability of the trust to protect patients from a similar event ever occurring at Royal Stoke University Hospital or Stafford’s County Hospital.
Board chairman David Wakefield asked: “How would the Quality Governance Committee ensure we don’t have a rogue doctor?
“You have had this man undertaking lots of operations in the past – how does the committee, on behalf of the board, know no such event could occur here?
“If I was a member of the public I would be asking the question and I would be worried.”
Dr John Oxtoby, UHNM’s medical director, responded: “I’m confident that series of events could not happen here.
“When we have concerns expressed about an individual we have a very robust way of acting on things. Over the years we have had instances where we have had concerns and I’m confident we dealt with them robustly.”
But health campaigner Ian Syme said after the meeting: “I’m not assured something couldn’t happen here.
“The thing with Paterson was when they looked at the systems you have a series of (national) systems and assessments and none seem to co-ordinate.
“Clinicians had recognised a problem with Ian Paterson but then it wasn’t acted upon.
“The system is reactive instead of proactive and people should feel confident in reporting concerns, but they feel as though they are intimidated by a hierarchical system.”
