THE PRIVATE SECTOR MUST LEARN AS A WHOLE FROM MISTAKES MADE IN THE CASE OF ROGUE SURGEON IAN PATERSON
The medical community remains shocked by the gravity of Ian Paterson’s criminal behaviour. There is no doubt this rogue individual has brought our profession into disrepute.
Today, as the report of the independent inquiry is announced, The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) calls on the private sector as whole to learn from mistakes made in allowing Ian Paterson to continue operating seemingly unchecked. Whilst this will be of little comfort for the patients and families that have been affected, we hope that the recommendations made will go some way to preventing such a tragedy from occurring again.
Dr Rinesh Parmar, Chair of The Doctors’ Association UK and an intensive care doctor in the West Midlands said:
“Dr Paterson’s crimes are inexcusable. Whilst there is no doubt that the harm caused to patients was due to a rogue individual, a private hospital must not be allowed to simply wash their hands of this case without taking any accountability for this happening right under their nose. The private system as whole must learn from the mistakes made in this tragic case to give the patients and families affected true justice.”
Dr Jenny Vaughan, DAUK’s Law and Policy Officer and Learn Not Blame Lead said:
“We welcome regulation in the private sector that will protect both doctors and patients. The private sector should adopt an open and just culture and the same reporting responsibilities adopted as the NHS. Currently the system is not uniform. The majority of doctors and upstanding citizens and care very much about the patients they serve. Doctors are never above the law and fortunately cases like Ian Paterson’s are rare.”
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