College calls for Government action
Measures outlined in the Paterson Inquiry report could help prevent another rogue surgeon in the future from getting away with the appalling and criminal behaviour the Inquiry has exposed, according to the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
But it said the test would be whether Government and regulators acted on these recommendations.
Prof Derek Alderson
College president Prof Derek Alderson said: ‘The horrific experience of patients at Paterson’s hands is laid bare in today’s report. The healthcare system has failed hundreds of patients and their families, and we must learn from what went wrong.
‘Following their thorough investigation, we welcome the Inquiry’s recommendations today, designed to improve patient safety.
Single repository of information
‘We have repeatedly called for the same safety standards to be enforced across both the NHS and private healthcare sector. The Inquiry has also stressed this and agreed with our recommendation that a single repository of information about consultants’ practice should be created.
‘We recommended this in our evidence to the Inquiry, because it allows the NHS and private sector to share information and raise any concerns about patient safety much more quickly.
‘The Inquiry also points out there is a gap in the rights of some patients treated in the independent sector, who do have not access to independent investigation or adjudication of complaints.
‘Many patients have no idea this is the case until things go wrong. The Government has an opportunity to address this gap right now, by ensuring legislation they are planning to improve the investigation of complaints covers the private sector also.’