Bishop of Norwich to chair independent inquiry into disgraced surgeon

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The Government has announced further plans for its independent inquiry into disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson, which will look at any broader lessons that can be learnt about private healthcare.

The inquiry will be chaired by the Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich.

It will examine the circumstances and practices surrounding Paterson's malpractice and look at how this can improve care locally and the independent healthcare sector across the country to ensure private patients have the safeguards they expect.

Paterson - a consultant breast surgeon who was employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) - intentionally wounded his patients by exaggerating or inventing cancer risks and claimed payments for more expensive procedures.

Many of his victims went to Court to watch Paterson sentenced. Credit: PA.

Paterson, who had practising privileges in the independent sectorat both Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston in Birmingham, was found guilty of 17 counts of wounding patients with intent in April and jailed for 20 years.

The details released on Thursday follow a pledge by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to hold a "comprehensive and focused inquiry" into Paterson's wrongdoing.

The Bishop of Norwich will chair the inquiry. Credit: ITV Anglia.

Following the release of the details, and Health Minister Philip Dunne's meeting with victims and their families, the initial scope of the investigation has been widened in recognition of their feedback that broader issues about care in the independent sector needed attention.

This includes whether any further action is needed to strengthen the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) inspection regime in relation to the private sector.