Police launch criminal investigation into patient of jailed breast surgeon

A criminal investigation has been launched into the death of a woman who was treated by the jailed breast surgeon Ian Paterson.

Coroner Richard Foster is currently investigating the deaths of 72 of Paterson’s former patients to establish whether his actions contributed to their deaths.

Almost two years into his investigation, the Coroner referred the case of Joan Green to the police, in August 2026, as a result of preliminary inquiries in relation to the circumstances of her death. The Coroner has not confirmed when Mrs Green died.

Mr Foster said: “In the course of those enquiries, matters arose which were considered to require referral to the police.

Paterson has been attending the hearings via video link. / Credit: PA

“I have now been informed that the police have decided to commence a criminal investigation into the circumstances of Mrs Green’s death.”

The original inquest into the death of Joan Green was opened in Staffordshire on 29 September 2026. The inquest has been adjourned to allow the police investigation to proceed.

This is the first criminal investigation that has resulted from the coronial inquiry into the deaths of Ian Paterson’s patients.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told ITV News: “We received the referral from HM Coroner in August and reviewed the available information. We have now advised HM Coroner that we have commenced a criminal investigation to establish more details around the circumstances of the death of Joan Green.”

Ian Paterson was a consultant breast surgeon who was employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in the West Midlands and practised in the independent sector at Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston.

He was jailed in 2017 after being convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding of patients he treated privately. He was found to have carried out unnecessary operations, some on men and women who did not have cancer.

Paterson was sentenced to 20 years in custody but is expected to be released in 2027 after serving half of his sentence in prison.

The NHS has also paid out millions in compensation to patients who received incomplete mastectomies.

Paterson is currently attending the inquests of his former patients and giving evidence via video link from the prison where he is being detained.

The inquests, which have now been running for two years, after starting in October 2024, are part of what is considered to be the largest investigation in the history of the British Coroners’ system.

ITV News has previously reported that the coroner’s process, which was supposed to conclude in 2026, will now not reach any conclusions until 2027 or 2028.

Since it began in 2024, a further 10 inquests have been opened, with experts now considering whether to open inquests into the deaths of 106 others who have since died.

Former patients of the disgraced surgeon have started a petition to stop Ian Paterson being released from prison before the inquests have been concluded. The petition has more than 30 thousand signatures.