ZPB’s managing director, Alex Kafetz, has been appointed as an independent advisor to assist the inquiry into how a breast surgeon was able to carry out unnecessary operations on patients in the West Midlands.
Alex will be taking up this role in addition to his continuing work at ZPB. He was recruited by the Paterson Inquiry because of his healthcare data expertise to help develop recommendations on what needs to happen to improve safety and quality of care for patients.
The Inquiry began at the start of 2018 when Ian Paterson was jailed after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent. He was also found to be carrying out a rogue form of mastectomy on the NHS, where patients were left with an increased risk of their breast cancer returning.
The breast surgeon’s 15-year jail sentence was recently increased to 20 years.
Alex said: “I’ve been asked by the chair of the inquiry to look at data sharing and transparency across the NHS and independent sector. It’s important we protect patients with accurate information wherever they choose to be treated.”
Alex will be joined by Karen Harrowing and Stephen Collier as independent advisors.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham James, who is leading the Paterson Inquiry told ITV News: “They bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge of both the independent sector and NHS, and across the breadth of our Terms of Reference.”
The Inquiry is expected provide the Government with recommendations in the summer of 2019.