MPS comments on Paterson Inquiry

Commenting on the Paterson Inquiry published today –

Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director at the Medical Protection Society, said:

“This is a crucial inquiry for those patients who needlessly suffered, and in order to deliver system-wide learnings.

“Mr Paterson was able to continue harming his patients for too long, and we fully support changes that could help to identify and address concerns earlier, and ultimately improve patient safety.

“We sympathise deeply with Mr Paterson’s victims, who had to struggle for compensation, and we welcome the principle of a ‘safety net’ to ensure patients are not disadvantaged in this way again.

“There is already a review underway into the current regulation of indemnity for healthcare professionals – we will continue to work closely with the Government on this, to ensure any changes are introduced in a sensible way that does not negatively impact on our members. MPS is well placed to adapt to change and support both consultants and private healthcare providers.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Ian Paterson was not an MPS member, it is public record that he was a member of the Medical Defence Union.

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About MPS

The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support together with the right to request indemnity for complaints or claims arising from professional practice.   

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.