Ian Paterson, a breast surgeon who was imprisoned for 20 years in 2017 for his unwarranted medical procedures is to be moved to an open prison, which has horrified his victims and their families. Paterson has been linked to the deaths of over 60 women due to his botched work. One family member expressed it was “a kick in the guts” that he was being transferred to a Category D open prison. Meanwhile, a liaison officer for one of the victims was disappointed that they had not received any notification, thus preventing them from putting forth their views.
Shirley Moroney, whose sister Marie Pinfield passed away after an operation by Paterson, was described as devastated by the recent announcement. Her sister had to ask for a second operation due to an issue with the first, leading to a delay in chemotherapy. This led to secondary lung cancer and she passed away in 2008. An inquest into her death, as well as that of many others receiving treatments from Paterson, is due to begin next month.
A prison spokesman for the Ministry of Justice has since apologised for any distress caused, admitting that there had been a miscommunication. Meanwhile, a liaison officer confirmed that there was no word yet on the transfer date of Paterson.
The liaison officer continued to explain that they were not informed of Paterson’s potential move to a Category D open prison by the prison which would have given the victims time to organize a response. They went on to state that the miscommunication had caused them a lot of distress, and vowed to contact anybody necessary to get the decision overturned.
However, the Ministry of Justice highlighted that any transfer to open conditions for offenders was subject to a robust risk assessment by prison governors. If an offender does step out of line, then they may be transferred back to closed conditions immediately.
Paterson was convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding. It is alleged that he carried out unnecessary operations and had exaggerated risks to cancer patients. He had practiced at Spire Parkway Hospital and Spire Little Aston Hospital in Birmingham from 1997 until 2011, as well as at NHS hospitals run by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.
More than 60 deaths have been linked to him, while the inquest, which is set to run for two years at Birmingham and Solihull Coroners’ Court, may uncover even more victims
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