The knife didn’t just cut, it betrayed.

Imagine waking from surgery only to learn the operation was never needed. No cancer. No valid reason. Just a scalpel, a signature, and shattered trust. This wasn’t fiction. It was the lived reality of over 1,000 patients at the hands of Ian Paterson, a former breast surgeon whose name has become synonymous with one of the darkest chapters in British medical history.

But while Paterson served time, his patients served a different kind of sentence, one without justice, without compensation, and without the support they were promised.

Why? Because the Medical Defence Organisation (MDO) tasked with his protection withdrew indemnity support. Their cover, like many MDO policies in the UK, was discretionary. Meaning: they could choose not to pay. And they didn’t.

The System That Looked Solid, But Wasn’t

Paterson’s victims had already lost enough. They had endured trauma, surgeries, physical scars, and psychological ones. Yet when they turned to the courts, the MDO covering Paterson, despite collecting years of premiums, chose not to stand behind him. And by extension, not behind them.

As highlighted in a report by Howden Group, this isn’t a legal loophole. It’s a feature of discretionary indemnity. MDOs can simply decline to assist if, in their opinion, the actions fall
outside their remit. No contracts. No guarantees. Just discretion.

A Warning Shot to Every Practising Doctor

The Paterson case is no longer just a headline. It’s a case study in broken systems, and a haunting reminder that professional indemnity, when it’s discretionary, might be no indemnity
at all.

This isn’t about rare, rogue cases. It’s about systemic risk. In an era of rising litigation and increased regulatory oversight, the idea of hoping your indemnity kicks in is not just risky — it’s negligent.

What This Means for You and Why Incision Is Different

At Incision, we don’t deal in maybes. We offer contract-backed, regulated indemnity cover that doesn’t vanish when headlines hit or complexity arises. Your protection is written into law, not left to a committee’s opinion.

We’re not just here for smooth sailing; we’re built for the storm.

– Fully contract-based protection

– Backed by regulated insurers

– Transparent terms and guaranteed support

– Designed for surgeons, by experts in medico-legal risk

Final Incision: When Trust is Cut, Only Truth Heals

If the Ian Paterson case teaches us anything, it’s that protection must be as precise as your practice. Every scalpel cut leaves a mark. And so does every policy decision. Don’t wait for a crisis to uncover the cracks. Get cover that won’t let you down when you need it most.

Read the full breakdown of the Ian Paterson case via Howden Group

To learn how Incision can provide regulated, contract-backed protection tailored to your specialty, visit our site or speak to our team.