Woman’s relief after surgeon struck off following botched cosmetic procedure

Italian Dr Arnaldo Paganelli was not properly insured when he operated in the UK, the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunals Service has found.

He carried out an eye-lift on Dawn Knight at a private hospital in 2012, but it went wrong and she says too much skin was removed and she has been left unable to close her eyes properly.

The small print of the contract stated patients had to check their surgeon was properly insured.

The 52-year-old from Stanley, County Durham, has to administer eye drops throughout the day and sleeps with protective lenses over her eyes.

Following a lengthy tribunal process, Dr Paganelli has been removed from the General Medical Council’s register after a case of misconduct was found against him.

After she heard the outcome of the case, Mrs Knight said: “I would say ‘relieved’ was the biggest emotion, there were lots of tears, I have had lots of sleepless nights.

“It has been a long, hard eight years since the surgery.”

The face-painting and body art teacher has become a campaigner for cosmetic surgery patients since her botched operation.

Having had excellent care under an NHS consultant, she said she will not risk another procedure to put right the failed £3,500 eye lift.

She has been unable to gain compensation from Dr Paganelli because he was not properly insured, and he was later declared bankrupt.

Mrs Knight has been supported by Durham North’s Labour MP Kevan Jones.

He said: “This case raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the GMC’s Medical Register and why it has taken five years for this individual to be barred from practising in the UK.

“The Government has promised to bring forward legislation to regulate cosmetic surgery and this case is one of many which highlights the need for urgent action.

“Without legislation, patients will continue to be left at risk of serious harm from what is a largely unregulated multi-million pound industry.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Dawn and her tenacity in campaigning on this issue to prevent others from suffering in similar circumstances.”

Dr Paganelli carried out Mrs Knight’s operation in Birmingham while working for The Hospital Group, which has since changed its ownership and management.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “Mr Paganelli has not worked with The Hospital Group since the change in ownership and is not connected to the company.

“Under its current ownership, The Hospital Group has implemented a number of new governance policies and an industry-leading aftercare package for patients.

“This delivers and ensures high quality continuity of care for patients.”