Inquests to be held for patients of jailed breast surgeon Ian Paterson

At least 36 deaths to get inquest, after Paterson’s sentencing in 2017 for damaging and needless surgery in West Midlands hospitals

Inquests will be held into the deaths of at least 36 patients treated by the jailed former breast surgeon Ian Paterson, with dozens more likely.

As the fallout of one of the most horrific medical scandals in the history of the NHS continues, a pre-inquest review hearing held at Birmingham and Solihull coroner’s court on Friday heard that 417 of Paterson’s cases where breast cancer was listed as the immediate cause of death had been examined.