Breast surgeon pleads not guilty to maliciously wounding patients

A breast surgeon has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of unlawfully &maliciously wounding patients with the intent to do grievous bodilyharm.

Ian Paterson worked at hospitals in Birmingham run by the Heart ofEngland NHS Trust and treated patients at Spire Healthcare.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1997 & 2011& relate to 10 patients - both men & women.

Prosecutors told the jury that operations he performed on 10 of his patients were completely unnecessary and claim Ian Paterson knew these operations were unjustified because he frequently misrepresented the results of various tests carried out. There were also suggestions that he lied to patients, their GPs, and in some instances to a colleague about the patients' conditions, as well as exaggerated risks of cancer to justify carrying out unnecessary serious operations.

The jury was also told Mr Paterson's suggestions that patients shouldreturn for further check-ups would provide him with both a fee andfurther opportunities to recommend further treatment in the future.

The Prosecution suggests that Ian Paterson lied to patients, their GPS,and in some instances to a colleague about the patients condition.

The jury has also been told Ian Paterson carried out a mastectomy on a female GP when there was no evidence anything was wrong with her breast.

Ian Paterson denies the charges. The case is due to last up to ten weeks.