A PATIENT of the doctor sacked from East Surrey Hospital over "errors in treatment" has described him as his hero.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust last week apologised to 1,200 patients who were treated by urological consultant Paul Miller over a six-year period.
The surgeon, who treated bladder and prostate cancer patients, was fired after an investigation by The Royal College of Surgeons found 27 of his patients had come to "serious harm".
Ray Lewis, 70, was one of the hundreds who received a letter from the trust apologising "unreservedly" for errors in his treatment.
In 2008, Mr Lewis was diagnosed with prostate cancer – the same disease that took his father's life.
He was offered surgery to remove the prostate gland on the NHS, but decided to be treated privately at Spire Gatwick Park Hospital under Mr Miller's care.
He told the Mirror: "I did have suspicions that I had prostate cancer. The NHS offered me a radical prostatectomy, but that doesn't leave you in a very good shape. This I didn't want.
"I asked what other treatments there were and he [Mr Miller] explained the High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, but to have that the cancer's got to be contained in the prostate sack.
"He booked me in for scans and an MRI at Gatwick [Park Hospital]. Fortunately it was contained. I was in surgery within ten days of being diagnosed. I was out of hospital the next morning and haven't looked back since.
"He gave me my lottery win. I'd hate to think where I'd be now without him."
Despite not showing any signs that the cancer had returned, Mr Lewis was called into East Surrey Hospital six months ago for a review.
"Everything was secret, they didn't tell me anything," he said.
Mr Lewis then received a letter on Friday, signed by medical director Des Holden, saying his care "fell below standards".
But, he added: "I'm pretty relaxed about it all. I'm fully in remission, coming up to six years since the cancer and happy with the treatment given to me.
"He saved my life. I probably wouldn't have been here today."
Michael Walters, from Warlingham, also received a letter from the trust about his care.
Writing to the Mirror he said: "It does seem that the trust's first priority in this case has been damage limitation and to keep patients in the dark."
The trust said patients were informed of the outcome of the review as soon as it concluded.
Mr Miller has been banned from treating urological cancer while the General Medical Council carries out its own investigation.
The consultant, described as the "UK's leading expert" in HIFU treatment, said in a statement last week: "I am extremely disappointed that the trust has decided to dismiss me.
"I strongly do not believe that this is justified. I welcome the opportunity to co-operate with any investigation into my practice. My priority as a consultant for the last 21 years has always been to protect patients' best interests and safety.
"I cannot comment further due to my duty of patient confidentiality."
Concerned patients can call a helpline on 0808 168 7754.
