Dame Caroline Spelman has welcomed a court verdict in the case of the controversial breast surgeon, Ian Paterson, who has today [28th April] been found guilty of carrying out unnecessary procedures on patients.
Mr Paterson was found guilty in a trial at Nottingham Crown Court of 17 counts of wounding with intent and 3 counts of unlawful wounding, having carried unnecessary operations between 1997 and 2011. Jurors said the surgeon carried out "extensive, life-changing operations for no medically-justifiable reason".
Dame Caroline, the MP for Meriden, has been supporting local women who have fallen victim to these crimes, and was attending a MacMillan Coffee morning with some of the victims and their families in Knowle, Solihull, when the result was announced.
Reacting to the verdict, she said, “On behalf of the women in my constituency who have been affected by Mr Paterson’s crimes, I offer my sincere thanks to the court and the jury for returning this verdict.
“Between 1997 and 2011, over 300 women who trusted Mr Paterson with their health and wellbeing were subject to abuse, and it is my sincere hope that this result will provide the victims and their families with closure.
“Today’s result sets a precedent for future cases of malpractice for medical professionals working in both the NHS and the private sector and I will continue to work closely with the victims and their families to support their campaign for fair and appropriate safeguards to be introduced so to prevent further such instances of abuse”.