Eight more inquests open in breast surgery scandal

A further eight inquests into the deaths of more patients of disgraced consultant breast surgeon Ian Paterson have opened.

Paterson, who worked at hospitals in Birmingham and Solihull, is serving a 20-year jail term after carrying out unnecessary and unapproved procedures on more than 1,000 breast cancer patients over 14 years.

Hearings opened into the deaths of Gillian Hudson, Kathleen Duffy, Jean Morris, Myrna Williams, Christina Fretwell, Margaret Davis, Ruth Barnett and Irene Scriven.

The full inquests, which begin on 7 October, are expected to run for two years at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner’s Court.

Sharon Duffy said she heard last month that her mother Kathleen Duffy's death would be the subject of an inquest

On Wednesday, the coroner's court heard the eight patients ranged in age from 41 to 78 years.

The coroner, judge Richard Foster, said there were a further 20 cases being investigated, so the tally could be higher.

After the hearing, Sharon Duffy, whose mother Kathleen was one of the eight, told the BBC she knew nothing about her case until 13 September when a pack fell through the door.

Kathleen Duffy, who was a carer and divorced, lived in Hollyfaste Road in Sheldon. She died aged 65 on 31 May 2009 from breast cancer.

Paterson was sentenced in 2017 after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three of unlawful wounding. His term was later increased.

BBC West Midlands health correspondent Michele Paduano said the case was about NHS and Spire patients who had an operation called "cleavage sparing", which was not recognised, and where breast tissue was left behind, risking a return of cancer.

As a result of the surgery, it is thought some patients may have died sooner.

The proceedings currently involve 62 families and 61 other parties and will be held as an Article 2 inquest – a hearing with a wider scope where there is the potential that an official body is in part responsible for the deaths.

The inquests will be held in five segments: cause of death; systemic issues; regulatory and other NHS bodies; the patient recall process and prevention of future deaths.