Police investigate death of jailed surgeon's patient

The first criminal investigation has begun into the death of a former patient of the jailed breast surgeon Ian Paterson.

The deaths of 73 of his patients are being investigated at inquests to determine whether or not they died an unnatural death as a result of his care and treatment.

Paterson was jailed for 20 years in 2017 for 17 charges of wounding with intent and three of unlawful wounding.

Coroner Judge Richard Foster has now referred the case of Joan Green, 83, to West Midlands Police. The force said it had received information from the coroner in August and could now confirm: "This is the first referral we've had as part of these inquests."

A force spokesperson added: "We have advised HM Coroner we have commenced a criminal investigation to establish more details around the circumstances of the death of Joan Green."

The coroner said as part of the "wider process" concerning deaths of former patients of Ian Paterson, cases continued to be referred to him.

"It was through that [wider] process that the death of Mrs Joan Green came to my attention.

"Preliminary inquiries were undertaken in relation to the circumstances of her death, including consideration of the available medical evidence.

"In the course of those inquiries, matters arose which were considered to require referral to the police."

The inquest into the death of Joan Green, which was originally opened in Staffordshire, has now been adjourned.

The coroner said the development referred only to the case of Joan Green and that the "wider process concerning the deaths of former patients of Mr Paterson remains ongoing, and the other investigations and inquests will continue to be considered and progressed on their individual evidence".

Paterson was employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation trust and practised privately at Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston.

He is due for release from prison at the halfway point of his sentence, in May next year, before the inquests into the deaths of his former patients are set to conclude.

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