Deborah Douglas and Tracy King

The ‘Erin Brokovich of Birmingham’ Deborah Douglas and writer and producer Tracy King discuss their book on the case of Ian Paterson, the so-called ‘butcher surgeon’ who deceived thousands of patients and carried out unnecessary surgery.

Patterson was sentenced to 20 years in 2017 for his crimes. Both Douglas and King were among his victims and have since carried out a major investigation into the scandal. Douglas was diagnosed with breast cancer by Paterson and underwent a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and extensive chemotherapy. She subsequently discovered that her diagnosis was exaggerated and her treatment unnecessary.  Douglas talks about her campaign to expose Paterson and the failings of the medical authorities that allowed him to get away with it for so long.

Douglas earned the name of the ‘Erin Brokovich of Birmingham’ for her campaign for truth and justice for Paterson’s victims. She is a former aerospace quality engineer. King is a writer, producer and science communicator. She is also author of a critically acclaimed memoir, Learning to Think, and co-author with Tim Minchin of a graphic novel, Storm.

Part of a series of festival events on public scandals.