The inquests into the deaths of 62 patients treated by rogue breast surgeon, Ian Paterson are set to begin today.

The 66-year-old is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple counts of wounding in 2017 for carrying out unnecessary and unapproved procedures on more than 1,000 cancer patients over 14 years.

Mr Paterson, who was living in Altringham, Greater Manchester when he was convicted, was employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and practised at Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston Hospitals in Birmingham between 1997 and 2011.

He was found to have carried out “cleavage separating” mastectomies that left behind breast tissue, risking a return of his patient’s cancer.

An independent inquiry ruled that his actions exaggerated or invented cancer risks in hundreds of his patients.

More than 560 patient deaths have been considered so far by a multi-disciplinary team of medical experts, leading to the opening of these inquests where 62 patient deaths may have been “unnatural”.

The first of the inquests, which are expected to be heard over a period of at least eight months at Birmingham and Solihull Coroners Court, will touch upon the death of Chloe Nikitas.

The 43-year-old environmental consultant from Tamworth died at the Priory Hospital, Birmingham on April 13, 2008.

The disgraced surgeon has been ordered to give evidence at the hearings after he attempted to launch a last-minute bid to have his witness summons revoked.

Mr Paterson was accused of attempting to delay the hearings after lodging the application just a day before the inquests were supposed to begin on October 10.

Coroner Richard Foster ruled on Monday that Mr Paterson would have to give evidence at each inquest, saying he could find “no reason” as to why he would be unable to do so.

Coroner Foster said: “It is perfectly reasonable in all the circumstances to require him to do so, taking into account the public interest and the importance of his participation to my investigations and these inquests.

“I can and will make all necessary adaptations to the court process to achieve the best evidence from Mr Paterson.

“I need to hear his evidence on a case-by-case basis alongside the evidence of other witnesses, including from Mr Paterson’s clinical colleagues and the medical experts.”

Mr Paterson’s lawyer had tried to argue that health concerns, a lack of legal representation and “inadequate facilities to prepare” meant his witness summons should be withdrawn.

The court heard claims from Paterson’s legal team last week that the jailed doctor, originally from Glasgow, would struggle to remain focused during the inquests and process large volumes of paperwork due to health issues.

Judge Foster, who will be leading the inquests, said he would make “appropriate measures and adjustments” to make sure Paterson could take part in the proceedings.

He said: “His evidence will be of the utmost assistance and any evidence is better than none.

“It is obvious that as a serving prisoner his ability to prepare and to provide instructions to his legal team has been handicapped. I can and will make every allowance for that.

“I expect him to appear remotely. No doubt his legal team will advise him upon the consequences of non-compliance.”