Spire’s response to the report of the Paterson Independent Inquiry

“Following the publication of today’s report, we once again apologise for the significant distress suffered by patients who were treated by Ian Paterson in our hospitals. We accept that there were a number of missed opportunities to challenge Ian Paterson’s criminal behaviour when these incidents happened prior to his suspension in 2011.

“We welcome the report and the voice it has given to patients. We fully support its recommendations and we will work with Government and the healthcare sector to ensure their implementation.

“Significant investment and progress has already been made in many of the areas highlighted today. I would reiterate that we have learned lessons from this incident and implemented change. A strong indicator of this is that 83% of our hospitals are now rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by the regulators, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or their equivalents in Wales and Scotland. This includes Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston, the two hospitals where Paterson practised, both of which were inspected at the end of 2019 and rated ‘Good.’”

020 7866 7883 / 07792 918648 / 07894 789558

Spire@instinctif.com

Spire Healthcare is a leading independent hospital group in the United Kingdom and the largest in terms of revenue. From 39 hospitals and eight clinics across England, Wales and Scotland, Spire Healthcare provides diagnostics, inpatient, day case and outpatient care.

We deliver high standards of care, with integrity and compassion and from high-quality facilities to our insured, self-pay and NHS patients.

We also own and operate sports medicine, physiotherapy and rehabilitation brand, Perform. Working in partnership with over 7,500 experienced consultants, our hospitals deliver tailored, personalised care to more than 777,000 inpatients and day case patients each year.

The group was founded with the acquisition and rebranding of 25 Bupa hospitals in 2007. Since then, Spire Healthcare has made significant capital investments in its estate and continues to deliver successful and award winning clinical outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction. Spire is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE250 index.

All our Consultants are independent practitioners and have personal responsibility for the care they deliver. Whilst they are not Spire employees, they are required to operate according to Spire policies and procedures when practising at Spire hospitals. Many Consultants are employed by the NHS, and may also work across a number of other independent providers.

Every Consultant is listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) medical register and undergoes a thorough vetting process before being granted “practising privileges” to practice at a Spire hospital. They are subject to regular review by their Spire Hospital Director.

Your relationship with each Consultant involved in your treatment (including anaesthetists) exists as a separate legal relationship alongside your relationship with Spire. If you are a private patient, you or your insurer will usually be invoiced separately by each Consultant involved in your treatment, and by the hospital, although in some instances we may be able to act as a fee collecting agent for the Consultants to make the payment process easier.

Whilst Consultants are responsible for clinical decision-making and the quality of the care they deliver, Spire is responsible for ensuring that there are systems of monitoring and oversight in place, designed to ensure that Consultants practise in accordance with Spire policy, and in line with their practising privileges. All Consultants are required to maintain adequate minimum levels of medical malpractice indemnity cover, in keeping with GMC guidance, and Spire undertakes checks to ensure that indemnity certificates are in place.

You can find out more about the consultants providing your care on our website and on the Private Healthcare Information Network website.