Expert Witness Journal Issue 64 December 2025 - Flipbook - Page 14
The signi昀椀cance for private-sector
plastic surgeons, clinics, and medical
indemni昀椀ers
shortcomings in the clinical care. While a clinical
negligence claim alleging a failure in the consenting
process may still be possible, an appropriate inquest
昀椀nding can signi昀椀cantly reduce the chances of a
clinical negligence claim. This can save or minimise
the costs involved in a subsequent claim, and the
time and stress associated with defending one.
Appropriate 昀椀ndings can also minimise the risk of
damaging publicity for the surgeon and clinic, which
in a competitive market can be vital for protecting
their practice.
Firstly, this case highlights the importance of using
specialist lawyers for advice and representation in
inquests. The “medical misadventure” conclusion
may be most relevant (or perhaps only relevant) to
patient deaths that happen after private elective
aesthetic and cosmetic surgery, given the wording
of the Guidance. Using lawyers with extensive
experience of representing plastic surgeons and
clinics in inquests is essential to make sure the
Coroner has the necessary evidence and submissions
to reach the right conclusion. This in turn can
be crucial for protecting the legal position and
reputation of the plastic surgeon and clinic in tragic
cases such as this, including by minimising the
likelihood of a referral to the GMC, either by the
Coroner or by the family.
If you are a medical professional, clinic, or hospital
and require advice, please contact:
Tracy Sell-Peters tracy.sell-peters@keystonelaw.co.uk
Tracy has extensive experience representing
healthcare professionals and providers in inquests
and many other types of proceedings in England
& Wales.
A 昀椀nding of “medical misadventure” will make
it more di昀케cult for the family of the deceased to
then make a clinical negligence claim alleging
MR JONATHAN DUNNE
CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGEON
Dr Paul Sigston
MBChB BSc (Hons) MSc FRCS (Plast)
Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
MBChB FRCA FRCP(Edin) FFICM
Areas of Expertise: Skin cancer, trauma, extravasation injuries
Mr Jonathan Dunne is a consultant plastic surgeon at Imperial College Healthcare
NHS Trust, London. He is the head of department for skin cancer and supports the
major trauma service. He has published more than 60 scientific articles and several
book chapters primarily in the field of skin cancer, and is the chief investigator and
principal investigator for international skin cancer research trials.
Dr Paul Sigston is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care in Maidstone
and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. He also undertakes anaesthesia privately.
Having qualified in 1987, he trained in Medicine, Anaesthetics and Intensive Care.
Jonathan is uniquely trained in all aspects of facial plastic surgery, undertaking two
further years of fellowships in minimally invasive facial skin cancer treatment (Mohs
surgery), head and neck microvascular surgery, facial palsy, and craniofacial and aesthetic surgery. His further training in facial plastic surgery was completed in Melbourne, Boston and Stockholm, and aesthetic training in London hospitals including
the Wellington, King Edward VII, the London Clinic and St John and St Elizabeth’s.
Area of interest include:Medico-legal reports for Anaesthetics and Intensive Care
l Appraisals
l Revalidation expertise
l Medical leadership
Dr Sigston took up the position of consultant in 1998 and has worked on
Intensive Care and undertaking Anaesthesia since that time. He has undertaken
a number of leadership roles, including being Medical Director for seven years.
l
Dr Sigston has widespread experience in managing clinical negligence issues, civil
claims and coroner’s court hearings as part of his Medical Director role that he
held for 7 years. This has allowed him to develop expertise in the workings of the
legal system and the requirements of various parties.
Jonathan co-authored the Oxford Handbook of Head & Neck anatomy and is
regularly invited to speak at international meetings on facial plastic surgery and skin
cancer. He is involved in plastic surgery education, and is a trustee of the Malawi
Burns Trust and a member of the national committee for BFIRST (British Foundation for International Reconstructive Surgery & Training).
Dr Sigston has successfully undertaken medico-legal training with Bond Solon in
London. He has provided expert witness reports since 2019 to both defendant and
claimant legal teams in equal proportion (45 total). Also able to provide brief pro
bono views quickly and to provide a report witihn 4 weeks.
Tel: 02081524700
Email: pa@jonathan-dunne.com
Area of work: Nationwide
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
Contact:
Tel: 07712007051 - Mobile: 07712007051
Email: paul@sigston.co.uk - Alternate Email: paul.sigston@nhs.net
Website: sigston.co.uk
Address: Ashwood Lodge Farm, Penshurst Rd, Speldhurst, Kent
11
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025-2026
