More inquests to open for Ian Paterson patients

The disgraced breast surgeon is serving a 20-year jail term after being sentenced in 2017

A further eight inquests are due to open next week, as part of an investigation into the deaths of former patients of breast surgeon Ian Paterson.

He was found to have carried out unnecessary and unapproved procedures on more than 1,000 breast cancer patients over 14 years.

The consultant surgeon, who worked at hospitals in Birmingham between 1997 and 2011, is currently serving 20 years in prison after being sentenced in 2017.

Fifty-four inquests have already been opened into the deaths of Paterson's former patients since July 2020.

Judge Richard Foster was appointed last year to conduct the investigations, due to the scale and complexity of the task.

Legal firm Higgs LLP has also been appointed by the coroner to assist with preparing the inquests.

Higgs LLP said in a statement that new inquests would open on 25 September into the deaths of eight women:

• Gillian Hudson, who died aged 63 on 8 March 2022

• Kathleen Duffy, who died aged 65 on 31 May 2009

• Jean Morris, who died aged 60 on 28 December 2013

• Myrna Williams, who died aged 48 on 7 February 2008

• Christina Fretwell, who died aged 57 on 17 June 2011

• Margaret Davis, who died aged 72 on 23 August 2004

• Ruth Barnett, who died aged 41 on 29 November 2010

• Irene Scriven, who died aged 78 on 8 November 2007

The opening of an inquest is a formal procedure where basic details are read out, with full hearings starting at a later date.

The full hearings for the inquests of Paterson's former patients will start on 7 October and are expected to take 18 months, Higgs LLP said.